MANILA, Philippines — Former Philippine National Police chief Nicholas Torre III on Friday evening defended police officers against what he described as premature public judgment amid the ongoing investigation into the viral Pasig road rage incident involving a Quezon City Police District officer.
Torre, the current Metropolitan Manila Development Authority General Manager issued the statement as authorities continue reviewing the full circumstances surrounding the May 13 confrontation along C5 Road in Pasig City, where a police officer was seen in a viral video allegedly pushing a motorcycle rider off the road before fleeing the scene.
The MMDA general manager said police personnel who commit wrongdoing should be held accountable, but warned against turning officers into “convenient sacrificial lambs for public applause” before all evidence is fully examined.
He also criticized what he called “trial by publicity” inside administrative proceedings, particularly after public statements from lawyer Ralph Calinisan regarding the case.
Torre said adjudicators should remain impartial while investigations are ongoing, stressing that evidence such as documents, witness testimonies, CCTV footage, and other facts must first be fully presented before conclusions are made.
“When a judge delivers judgment ahead of the process, that is no longer due process — that is prejudice,” Torre said.
Authorities earlier arrested the QCPD officer involved in the incident, while criminal and administrative complaints were filed against him following the circulation of the viral video online.
However, subsequent reports indicated investigators are also reviewing events that allegedly happened before the viral clip, including claims that the confrontation stemmed from an earlier road encounter along C5 Road.
Torre said defending discipline inside the police organization should not come at the expense of fairness and due process for personnel facing investigation.
