Warrantless arrest: A promotion ticket but career on the line – Torre

Philippine National Police Chief Police General Nicolas Torre III FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief General Nicolas Torre III has announced a new requirement for aspiring commanders: demonstrable experience in conducting warrantless arrests.

Torre said he has already instructed the PNP Directorate for Personnel and Records Management to require commanders and aspiring ones to submit a “receipt”: either an affidavit of arrest or a sworn statement by the arresting officer, detailing the facts and circumstances of a lawful arrest.

READ: PNP’s work must be gauged by quality of probes, not number of arrests – CHR

Rule 113, Section 5 of the Revised Rules of Court states that arrest without warrant is lawful when a person to be arrested “has committed, is actually committing, or is attempting to commit an offense” before a police officer.

“What is the proof that you have arrested a criminal? We’re talking about an arrest without a warrant in accordance with Rule 113 of the Revised Rules of Court,” Torre said.

“The ‘receipt’ is the affidavit of arrest. That’s it—very simple. For our rank-and-file—from patrolmen and corporals to lieutenants who are getting promoted—the affidavit of arrest is a major metric,” he added.

Torre explained that this requirement is fair for all on-the-ground personnel, emphasizing that “arresting without a warrant is the hardest job of a policeman.”

He also highlighted the inherent risks involved and stressed the need to meticulously follow legal protocols to avoid jeopardizing one’s career.

“You are betting your entire career on the tip of your pen when you sign the affidavit of arrest,” he added.

The PNP chief said he will be discussing this new mandate with the National Police Commission.

“So this can serve as a metric for promotion because it’s about efficiency. It’s fine if you just want to remain a cook there forever, or a janitor at your station, or a cleaning supervisor—that’s okay, there’s no problem with that,” Torre said.

“But you won’t earn points like those who are out walking their beats under the heat, watching out for snatchers, looking for robbers, and actually chasing criminals on the streets—that’s a different story,” he added.

“But you won’t earn points like those who are out pounding the pavement under the heat—watching for snatchers, looking for robbers, and actually chasing criminals on the streets. That’s a different story,” he added./mcm