Torre fires back at Baste over appointment criticism

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Nicolas Torre III yesterday clapped back at Davao City Mayor Sebastian Duterte, who questioned his appointment as the country's top cop and claimed it was not based on merit.

- By ALEXIS ROMERO

Sebastian, son of former president Rodrigo Duterte, alleged that Torre was named PNP chief because he is the administration's "attack dog."

He further claimed that Torre's promotion allowed him to leapfrog from a two-star to a four-star general, bypassing more senior officials.

Asked to react to Sebastian's comment at a press briefing yesterday, Torre replied: "I just respect his decision and I respect his opinion. Let's rewind a bit to the term of his father and who his first chief PNP was. What was the rank of the first chief PNP and what was my rank before I became chief PNP?"