Davao police chief appointed CIDG director
MANILA, Philippines — The police general who led the manhunt against Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) leader Apollo Quiboloy in Davao City has been designated as director of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), the primary investigation arm of the Philippine National Police.
PNP chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil appointed Brig. Gen. Nicolas Torre III as the new director of the CIDG on Tuesday.
He replaced Maj. Gen. Leo Francisco, who was transferred to the personnel holding and administration unit of the Directorate for Personnel and Records Management, according to an order from the national police headquarters issued on Tuesday. The new assignments took effect yesterday.
The 54-year-old Torre’s new assignment is considered a promotion as being a CIDG director is a two-star rank position in the PNP.
Torre led over 5,000 police officers in a 16-day operation that led to the arrest of Quiboloy, the controversial evangelist who is facing charges of qualified human trafficking and child abuse before the Pasig and Quezon City courts.
Despite fierce resistance from Quiboloy’s followers, police officers led by Torre arrested Quiboloy and four of his co-accused at the KOJC compound.
Torre also once headed the Quezon City Police District where he implemented a three-minute response time on crime incidents and other emergencies.
Meanwhile, there is no word on why Francisco was placed on floating status.
On Monday, Francisco told reporters in a phone interview they are no longer inclined to pursue an investigation on allegations that a former PNP chief helped dismissed Bamban mayor Alice Guo escape after the source of the information, Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. senior vice president Raul Villanueva, admitted he only based it on rumors.
Francisco made a clarification on Tuesday, stressing the CIDG would continue with its probe on the identity of the ex-chief PNP who is allegedly connected with Guo.
Taking over Torre’s post in Davao is Southern Police District director Brig. Gen. Leon Victor Rosete.
