The head of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), Police Major General Nicolas Torre III, said on Sunday that he is ready to testify if needed in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.
Torre, who used to be the top police officer in Davao Region, said he would follow orders from the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the prosecutors handling the case.
Waiting for Orders
Torre explained that the investigation about VP Sara is being done by both the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and the CIDG, under the DOJ’s supervision. He said they are waiting for instructions from the DOJ and prosecutors.
“I don’t want to get ahead of things,” Torre said in a public forum. “Right now, the investigation is handled by both the NBI and CIDG under the DOJ. If the DOJ and the prosecutors decide that they need my testimony, then we will follow their decision.”
No Choice But to Testify If Called
Torre also made it clear that if he is officially called to testify in the impeachment court, he has no choice but to go.
“As the CIDG chief, if I am asked to testify about the investigations I was involved in, then I must appear in court,” he said.
Torre vs. Duterte Family?
Interestingly, just last week, Torre also filed a case against former President Rodrigo Duterte (VP Sara’s father) because of a controversial statement where the ex-president threatened to have senators killed.
When Torre was the top police officer in Davao, VP Sara criticized the police for using too much force when they tried to arrest Pastor Apollo Quiboloy, a religious leader close to the Duterte family.
Why Is Sara Duterte on Trial?
The House of Representatives (where lawmakers work) impeached Vice President Sara Duterte on February 5. More than 200 lawmakers supported the case against her.
Now, as the impeachment trial moves forward, people are waiting to see if Torre’s testimony will affect the case.
