A few days after the unceremonious axing of Gen. Nicolas Torre III as PNP chief, Malacañang rushed in front of seething opinions by way of an assurance. Press Officer Claire Castro said there was no fault in Torre and that President Marcos was eyeing another “relevant post” for him.

It came across as somewhat of a call for Torre to chill and not make a fuss. Torre, the good soldier that he is, did not resist falling off the top. He stayed silent, stayed in uniform, and stayed unretired. That choice alone spoke louder than any press statement.

Let’s rewind and see the story of Torre’s rise before his fall, and one will remember that securing presidential favor came the hard way. He had to do the jobs that other top brasses in the PNP flinched from.

As Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) chief, it was Torre who led the high-profile arrest of Apollo Quiboloy. And then, the arrest and turnover to the ICC of former president Rodrigo Duterte. These operations required nerve, discipline, and a willingness to absorb political buckshots.

He met them all head-on and with grace and was rightfully rewarded by the President. When he assumed the top cop post, Torre moved fast, perhaps too fast, reshuffling senior ranks without clearance and stepping on Napolcom toes.

That misstep proved costly. He was sacked without explanation, amid whispers of rifts and rivalries. Then Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. — the VVIP of those he relieved at the time — was a thoroughbred Ilocano and very much close to the Marcoses.

But for an administration under attack from all fronts — most aggressively from a Duterte bloc fronted by Vice President Sara Duterte and abetted by her accomplice, presidential sister Senator Imee Marcos — ditching Torre might have been a strategic blunder. The man who executed the most sensitive arrests was removed, while others with longer paper trails were spared.

Torre, for his part, showed no animosity. He publicly refused pity, reiterated loyalty to the President, and pointed attention instead to flood victims. Silence, service, and restraint — hardly the profile of a malcontent.

Four months after the Palace’s “we’re thinking of something” refrain, the thinking finally crystallized. Torre is now the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) general manager. The agency welcomed him with open arms, citing his law-enforcement experience as an asset to traffic management and public safety. Chairman Romando Artes vouched for him; Vice GM Procopio Lipana bowed out with thanks. It is a consequential post — Metro Manila is where governance is felt hourly, painfully, and publicly.

So congratulations, Gen. Torre. This is your proving ground — not just to an administration that dropped you like a hot potato, but to the public. Few voices, notably, defended you online when the PNP snub came; fewer still called out the affront to the PNPA, given you are its first graduate to reach the PNP’s top post. Others were elevated, shadows and gray areas trailing them — but this is not about them.

This appointment frees up the four-star rank and restores permanence to the sitting PNP chief. As for Torre, make the MMDA work. If 2028 is in your sights, this is where worth is earned in traffic, floods, order, and results.

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The full-scale emergency drill, organized by New NAIA Infra Corp. (NNIC) — the private consortium managing the airport — tested the coordination, communication, and command efficiency of airport units and partner agencies under high-pressure conditions.

The scenario involved a simulated aircraft carrying 120 passengers and six crew members that ingested foreign object debris (FOD) on the runway, resulting in engine damage, a fuel leak, and an ensuing fire. Responders executed rescue, firefighting, and evacuation protocols within the ICAO-mandated response time, showcasing readiness aligned with global aviation safety standards.

More than 600 participants joined the 51-minute exercise, which was supervised and evaluated by the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) and the Airline Operators Council (AOC). The operation involved multiple NNIC units, including Rescue and Firefighting Services, Medical Services, Operations, Security Group, and the Aerodrome Safety and Wildlife Hazard Management Office, alongside the Manila International Airport Authority, Philippine National Police, and Bureau of Fire Protection.

Medical and disaster response teams from the Philippine Red Cross, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), and several hospitals also participated. Philippine Airlines activated its CARE Team and Survivor Reception Area to assist in passenger management and family coordination.

The 2025 CREX marks the first large-scale emergency exercise under private management since NNIC assumed operations of NAIA in September 2024 through a public-private partnership with the government. The activity forms part of NNIC’s continuing efforts to uphold world-class safety, efficiency, and operational resilience at the country’s main gateway.

NNIC is aligning its efforts with the Manila International Airport Authority’s “Oplan Biyaheng Ayos: Undas 2024” initiative to ensure a smooth and efficient travel season. This collaborative approach will focus on enhancing security protocols, passenger assistance, and traffic management.

Building upon the established roles and responsibilities of airport stakeholders, NNIC is enhancing coordination and implementing additional measures to effectively manage the influx of passengers during the peak season. 

This includes close coordination with government agencies that include the MIAA as its regulator, the Department of Transportation (DOTr), Philippine National Police-Aviation Security Group (PNP-AVSEGROUP), Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), Bureau of Customs (BOC), Bureau of Immigration (BI), and Bureau of Quarantine (BOQ) to ensure sufficient manpower and resources are available to handle the expected increased passenger traffic.

NNIC is also working with airline companies to encourage early check-in counter openings to allow passengers more time for check-in and reduce queuing times during peak hours.

A comprehensive review of ground handler and airline equipment deployment is ongoing to make sure sufficient serviceable equipment is available to manage baggage and passenger flow efficiently.

Meanwhile, NNIC is in talks with transportation service providers, to increase vehicle availability and make it easier for passengers to access, and depart from, the airport.

Additional parking spaces at Terminal 3 will also be opened to accommodate more vehicles and help ease traffic congestion around the airport.

Team effort of stakeholders

The operation of the airport is a joint effort among various stakeholders, each playing a specific role to ensure smooth operations year-round. These roles include:

NNIC as airport operator: manages overall coordination and infrastructure to ensure efficient passenger flow and traffic management.

Airlines: Ensures timely check-in, efficient baggage handling, and adherence to flight schedules to reduce delays. Also provides serviceable equipment and staff to manage baggage and assist passengers efficiently.

Government Agencies, including MIAA, DOTr, PNP-AVSEGROUP, and MMDA: coordinates with airport operator to ensure security, manage traffic, and respond to emergencies within the airport.

Bureau of Immigration (BI): Facilitates quick processing of travel documents, reduces delays at immigration checkpoints.

Bureau of Customs (BOC): Inspects passenger baggage for customs compliance while expediting clearance.

Bureau of Quarantine (BOQ): Conducts health screenings to protect public health.

NNIC advises passengers to arrive early for their scheduled flights to allow enough time for security, check-in, and immigration procedures. Staying updated on travel guidelines and cooperating with airport staff will also help ensure a hassle-free experience during the busy season.

The MMRF, an essential tool in the Metro Manila Flood Management Project (MMFMP) Solid Waste Management Component 2, is designed to streamline waste segregation and recycling at the barangay level. During the turnover ceremony, a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) was signed, marking the formal transfer of responsibility from MMDA to the local government unit (LGU) and Brgy. Bayanan. This MOA highlights the barangay’s commitment to uphold and operate the MMRF system, under the close monitoring and guidance of the LGU’s City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) and the MMDA Solid Waste Management Office (SWMO).

“The involvement of the residents, barangay, and local government is crucial to our waste management initiatives,” said Dir. Josias Syquimsiam Jr., Project Director of the MMDA Solid Waste Management Office. “The MMRF provides a structure to waste segregation, allowing communities to turn waste into valuable resources. This represents a shared commitment to creating a cleaner and more sustainable Metro Manila.”

Brgy. Bayanan’s adoption of the MMRF system has already led to significant achievements. Over the past two years, the barangay has collected 18,746.6 kilograms of recyclables, which were exchanged for 78,473 goods, and generated 72,154 pesos from sales to junk shops. These figures translate directly into reduced waste in landfills, cleaner streets, and a more engaged community. The barangay faced challenges such as initial resistance to the new waste segregation policies, but through continuous education and community involvement, they have successfully increased resident participation and established valuable partnerships with local recycling businesses.

Punong Barangay Engr. Jonathan “Athan” Gutierrez expressed the community’s commitment to sustaining the MMRF operations: “Our barangay is dedicated to maintaining the MMRF system and expanding our waste management efforts. With the support of our residents and the guidance of MMDA and CENRO, we can achieve even greater results in waste recovery and environmental protection.”

The turnover ceremony was attended by key officials from Brgy. Bayanan, the Muntinlupa City LGU, and MMDA. Community members also participated, demonstrating their ongoing support for the MMRF initiative. The event included the formal signing of the MOA, symbolizing the strong collaboration between MMDA and Brgy. Bayanan. This partnership is expected to serve as a model for other communities as MMDA continues to roll out the MMRF program in other areas of Metro Manila, including Lower Bicutan, Batis and Corazon de Jesus, Pio and 135, San Isidro, and Daang Bakal.

The MMDA remains committed to supporting Brgy. Bayanan as it takes full control of the MMRF operations. This ongoing collaboration will ensure that the barangay continues to benefit from technical assistance and monitoring, fostering a sustainable environment for its residents. Future turnovers in other Metro Manila areas will follow a similar approach, focusing on empowering communities to manage their waste effectively and contribute to the broader goal of waste diversion and recovery across the region.