Graduates of the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA) are up in arms against a politician in Davao City who allegedly threatened to slap the top cop of the Davao regional police force, Police Brig. Gen. Nicolas Torre III. 

In a statement, the Lakan Community (graduates of PNPA) said the threat is plain and simple harassment and bullying against a highly-respected and high-ranking official of the PNP whom it said is only doing his job.

“It has come to our attention that Sir Nick has been subjected to bullying and mistreatment by a powerful politician in Davao City, and we want him to know that such behavior is unacceptable and has no place in our community,” the statement read. 

“We, the members of the Lakan Community, should stand together in solidarity in supporting Lakan PBGen Nicolas D. Torre III,” it added.

Torre is a member of PNPA Class 1993. 

The PNPA is one of the major sources of officials in the police organization. Currently, almost all of the major positions in the PNP are occupied by PNPA graduates. 

The alleged harassment and bullying stemmed from the revelation made by Torre about the manipulation of crime statistics in Davao City to make it appear that crime rates in the area are low.

He said that the blotter reports contained multiple false entries or were marked as “for record only,” which means that were documented but not reported as actual crimes. 

This later prompted Torre to relieve the Davao City police director and 19 other station commanders of Davao City.

While the statement did not name the Davao City politician, Davao City Mayor Sebastian Duterte was quoted saying that he would slap Torre if he would meet him over the latter’s statement questioning the veracity of the Davao City crime data.

The reported statement did not sit well with the PNPA graduates who called the threat a form of bullying.

“As a community, we value and uphold principles of respect, kindness, and empathy towards one another. We are deeply troubled by the actions of the politician and we should assure our Lakan brother that we fully support him in standing up against this injustice,” the statement read.

“Together, we condemn all forms of bullying, harassment, and abuse, and we are committed to creating a safe and inclusive environment where everyone can feel respected and supported,” it added.

The Lakan Community said all PNPA graduates should rally behind Torre in his effort to uphold the principle of integrity and professionalism of the police organization.

The group said the courage shown by Torre in telling the truth and in initiating reform programs to correct wrongdoings even within the police organization.

“We should make him feel that he is not alone in this struggle. The strength of our community lies in our unity, and we are here to stand by his side, provide comfort, and advocate for justice on his behalf,” the statement read.

“With Sir Nick's resilience, courage, and inner strength, we are confident that together, we can overcome this challenge and emerge stronger as a community.”

“Let us remember that to be led by a coward is to be controlled by all that the coward fears,” the statement added.