EIGHT police chiefs in Metro Manila have been relieved from their posts for failing to comply with the Philippine National Police’s (PNP) five-minute response policy, PNP chief Gen. Nicolas Torre III confirmed on Monday.
“We’ve already relieved eight,” Torre said in an interview following the flag-raising ceremony at Quezon City Hall.
The police officials relieved of their duties were from the cities of Caloocan, Navotas, Valenzuela, Mandaluyong, Marikina, San Juan, Parañaque, and Makati.
Torre warned that more dismissals may follow, saying he had also issued a stern reminder to provincial commanders during his recent visit to Iloilo on June 15 as part of his assessment of the “Serve and Protect” policy across regions.
“We will declare those positions open so that other interested and qualified commanders can be given the opportunity to meet our standards,” he said.
The PNP chief stressed the importance of active and hands-on leadership from police commanders.
“I want them to actually command — not just figuratively, but literally — issuing orders through radio or any available communication,” he added.
The five-minute response policy, first implemented by Torre during his tenure as Quezon City Police District (QCPD) director, marks a shift away from traditional precinct-based policing. The policy aims to ensure immediate police presence in emergency situations regardless of the time of day.
“That is our commitment to the President and to the Filipino people,” Torre said. “If some commanders can’t step up to that standard, we will find those who can.”