Nicolas Torre III Wishes Duterte Good Luck in ICC Trial

In a recent ANC 24/7 report from the 81st episode of "Beyond the Exchange with Rico Hizon," former Philippine National Police chief Nicolas Torre III delivered a striking message to former President Rodrigo Duterte, telling him "Good luck sa trial niya, I hope he finds justice he's looking for" regarding the former leader's International Criminal Court case. Torre's comments mark one of the most direct public statements from the official who personally led the operation that sent Duterte to The Hague in March 2025.

Torre Wishes Duterte 'Good Luck' in ICC Trial — A Nation Watches The Hague

Manila, Philippines — In the course of a wide-ranging interview, Torre addressed the trial of the man he once served under, offering words that carried the weight of a complicated history between two figures at the center of the country's most consequential legal proceeding in decades.

Torre's Direct Message to Duterte on ICC Trial

In a recent ANC 24/7 report from the 81st episode of "Beyond the Exchange with Rico Hizon," former Philippine National Police chief Nicolas Torre III addressed his former superior Rodrigo Duterte with the words "Good luck sa trial niya, I hope he finds justice he's looking for." The comment came during Torre's most extensive public remarks since leaving the PNP, where he discussed the March 2025 arrest he led at NAIA that sent Duterte to the International Criminal Court in The Hague.

Details of the March 2025 Arrest Operation

Torre, who served as PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group chief at the time, personally oversaw Duterte's detention at Ninoy Aquino International Airport before his transfer to the Netherlands. The operation followed the ICC's issuance of an arrest warrant tied to three counts of crimes against humanity linked to the 2016-2022 drug war that claimed an estimated 12,000 to 30,000 lives across Philippine communities. Families in Manila's Tondo district and Davao City's outskirts still recount the sudden loss of relatives during those operations, many of whom worked as tricycle drivers or sari-sari store owners supporting children in public schools.

The arrest marked a turning point for communities that had endured years of fear. In Quezon City barangays, residents organized bayanihan efforts to support widows left without breadwinners, highlighting how the drug war's reach extended beyond statistics into daily survival for ordinary households.

Torre's Current Role as MMDA General Manager

Since December 2025, Torre has served as General Manager of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, shifting focus from national policing to managing traffic, flood control, and urban services across Metro Manila. In the ANC 24/7 interview, he connected this new position to broader governance challenges, noting how efficient city management affects workers commuting from Cavite and Bulacan to jobs in Makati and Ortigas.

MMDA operations directly influence the lives of jeepney drivers and market vendors who navigate daily gridlock in areas like EDSA and Commonwealth Avenue. Torre emphasized that his experience with law enforcement informs his approach to public order in these crowded urban spaces, where small disruptions can halt entire family incomes for the day.

Additional Topics Covered in the Interview

The discussion extended beyond the Duterte case to include the ongoing impeachment proceedings against Vice President Sara Duterte, comments on President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., and Torre's assessment of former Vice President Leni Robredo as "somebody that we need." Torre also labeled Philippine education a national security issue and weighed in on the Senate leadership dispute, all while fielding questions about his own political prospects.

These remarks carry weight for students in DepEd schools in Cebu and Baguio, where resource shortages have long affected learning outcomes. Parents who rely on remittances from OFWs in the Middle East see education quality as tied to future job opportunities that could keep families together rather than separated by overseas work.

Human Impact on Drug War-Affected Communities

The ICC proceedings hold direct consequences for thousands of Filipino families who lost loved ones between 2016 and 2022. In Davao del Sur and urban poor areas of Manila, mothers who formed support groups after the killings continue to seek accountability, viewing the trial as a chance for recognition of their losses rather than abstract legal proceedings.

Torre's measured statement reflects the tension many former officials navigate when discussing the drug war's legacy. For jeepney operators in Pasig and farmers in Mindanao who witnessed community breakdowns, the trial represents an opportunity to address how policies shaped daily realities in barangays far from Malacañang.

Why the Comments Matter for Philippine Politics

Torre's public stance arrives at a moment when Senate debates and impeachment processes intersect with questions of accountability and leadership transitions. His praise for Robredo and references to Marcos signal potential alignments that could influence voter discussions ahead of future elections, particularly among communities in the Visayas and Mindanao that weigh governance records against promises of stability.

Corruption concerns raised in the interview resonate with taxpayers funding projects through the Department of Budget and Management, where delays in infrastructure affect flood-prone areas in Marikina and traffic solutions in Caloocan. These issues tie directly into how citizens experience government effectiveness in their neighborhoods.

Education as a National Security Concern

By framing education as a national security matter, Torre highlighted links between school quality and long-term societal stability. DepEd data shows persistent gaps in classroom resources and teacher training across provinces, issues that affect the children of OFWs who return to find limited local opportunities.

Communities in Baguio and Cebu have responded with local initiatives to supplement public schooling, demonstrating the bayanihan spirit that fills gaps left by national policy shortfalls. Torre's comments suggest these challenges require coordinated attention from agencies beyond the education sector alone.

The Road Ahead for Philippine Justice

The Duterte ICC trial represents a pivotal moment for Philippine jurisprudence and international accountability. As proceedings unfold in The Hague, Torre's remarks offer a rare glimpse into how the officials who carried out the arrest view the case. For families of drug war victims in Manila cemeteries and Davao memorials, the trial offers the first institutional acknowledgment of losses that had long gone unrecognized in official channels.

Whether Torre's political trajectory leads him to higher office or back to public service remains an open question. But his interview on ANC 24/7's Beyond the Exchange has added his voice to a national conversation about accountability, justice, and the kind of leadership the country needs moving forward.

What to Watch For

The ICC trial of Rodrigo Duterte is expected to continue through the coming months, with witnesses from Philippine communities expected to testify. The Senate impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte also looms, creating a dual legal drama that will dominate Philippine political discourse. Torre's future political moves, hinted at in the interview, could reshape alliances and voter expectations ahead of the 2028 elections.

For now, Torre's message stands: "Good luck sa trial niya, I hope he finds justice he's looking for" — words that encapsulate the complexity of a nation still grappling with the legacy of a deeply divisive era.

By Bella Reyes, Staff Writer