The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) welcomes the appointment of Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief PMGen. Nicolas Torre III and extends its support to the new leadership in steering the PNP toward professional and accountable policing.

We take note of PNP Chief Torre’s “paramihan” statement on the number of arrests as part of metrics for police performance during his press briefing. At the same time, we acknowledge the PNP Chief’s instruction that all police actions must remain “within the ambit of the law,” and that “there are checks and balances” to ensure accountability.

While we recognize the intent to protect communities and enhance public safety, the Commission reminds authorities that highlighting number of arrests as a performance metric may unintentionally pressure officers to prioritize quantity over quality. Historically, such frameworks have risked incentivizing shortcuts, abusive, or arbitrary practices, which undermine human rights and erode public trust in law enforcement.

The CHR maintains that effective policing is best measured not by the volume of arrests, but by the quality of investigations, respect for due process, and the consistent upholding of legal and ethical standards.

To this end, we encourage the PNP leadership to issue clear, rights-based guidelines for performance evaluation, ensuring that any operational targets do not compromise civil liberties or lead to discrimination, especially against vulnerable sectors who are prone to abuse due to lack of access to remedies.

The Commission is hopeful of PNP Chief Torre’s expression of commitment in ensuring professionalism and rule of law within the police force.

As the country’s independent national human rights institution, CHR remains committed to continue monitoring developments in law enforcement which contribute to nationwide efforts that foster safety and security in communities. ###