The Punisher – The Man Who Arrested A God and a Chinese Drug Lord

I have witnessed many great men rise and fall in the annals of history, but few have left a mark as indelible as Major General Nicolas Deloso Torre III. In a nation where power often shields the guilty and justice bends to influence, he stood unshaken. He did what many before him dared not: he arrested a self-proclaimed god and took down a former president with alleged ties to drug syndicates.

The Philippines has long been plagued by corruption and criminal empires masquerading as legitimate institutions. Yet, when the time came to choose between submission and action, General Torre chose to act. This is the story of a man who refused to be intimidated, who upheld the law even when it meant staring down the most powerful figures in the country.

The Making of a Legend

It is no easy feat to challenge the powerful in a country where justice often moves at the whim of politicians, billionaires, and crime lords. But Nicolas Torre III was not just any officer—he was a man of unwavering principle.

His journey to greatness began at the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA), where he graduated with the Tagapaglunsad Class of 1993. From his early years, he was known for his intelligence, discipline, and an unshakable belief that the law should be upheld, no matter the consequences.

He climbed the ranks of the Philippine National Police (PNP) with precision, taking on roles that prepared him for the battles to come. As Chief of the Quezon City Police District, he took on organized crime with relentless efficiency. As Director of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), he uncovered networks of corruption many feared to touch. And when he was appointed Regional Director of PNP Region 11 (Davao), he was stepping into the lion’s den—a region controlled for years by the very man he would later arrest.

His reputation was built on his fearlessness and unwavering loyalty to the law, rather than to politicians or wealthy elites. That alone made him a rare breed.

Bringing Down the ‘Appointed Son of God’

One of the most shocking and polarizing figures in Philippine history was Apollo Quiboloy, the self-proclaimed “Appointed Son of God.”

For years, Quiboloy ruled his Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) empire with an iron grip. He was untouchable. His vast wealth, political influence, and rabid followers made him a force even law enforcement hesitated to challenge.

But beneath the golden façade of his church lay unspeakable crimes—allegations of sexual abuse, human trafficking, and financial fraud. Victims spoke of being brainwashed, beaten, and raped, but Quiboloy’s political ties shielded him.

Until General Torre decided enough was enough.

The operation to bring Quiboloy to justice was not easy. His compound in Davao was fortified like a fortress, guarded not just by security but by fanatical followers willing to lay down their lives for him.

It took over 2,000 officers to execute the raid. The standoff lasted weeks, with Quiboloy’s supporters forming human barricades, chanting prayers, and resisting arrest. The world watched in shock as a man who claimed to be God’s chosen one hid behind flesh and blood, unwilling to face the law.

But General Torre was patient and precise. He led his men with calculated determination, ensuring that the arrest was carried out without unnecessary bloodshed. And finally, on that fateful day, Quiboloy was captured—a false god, brought down to face justice.

Many before Torre had tried and failed to touch Quiboloy. But Torre did not fail.

The Most Dangerous Mission: Taking Down a Former President

If arresting a man who called himself God was a challenge, then arresting Rodrigo Duterte, the man once feared as “The Punisher” himself, was nothing short of historic.

Duterte, a former president, was known for his bloody war on drugs. He built his political career on the promise of eradicating crime, yet the deeper one looked, the more apparent it became that his hands were far from clean.

The biggest bombshell came in 2017, when ₱6.4 billion worth of shabu (methamphetamine) was smuggled into the country—under the watch of Duterte’s administration. The investigation revealed disturbing links between Duterte and Chinese drug syndicates. For a man who claimed to fight drugs with an iron fist, it was damning evidence of deception at the highest level.

Yet, for years, Duterte’s influence protected him. No one dared to bring him to justice.

That changed when the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued a warrant for Duterte’s arrest for crimes against humanity. The world waited to see if the Philippines would enforce it—or let it slip away.

And once again, General Torre stepped up.

The operation to serve the ICC warrant was dangerous. Duterte still had a stronghold of supporters, loyal police and military personnel who might defy orders to protect him. The standoff at Villamor Air Base lasted for 12 hours, with Duterte refusing to be fingerprinted, threatening lawsuits, and resisting with every ounce of his once-great political power.

But Torre did not flinch. He stood his ground, ensuring that justice would not be denied. In the end, Duterte was taken into custody, marking a turning point in Philippine history—a moment when power no longer meant immunity.

A Legacy That Will Never Be Forgotten

Many men have worn the uniform of the Philippine National Police, but few have ever lived up to its highest calling the way General Nicolas Torre III has.

He has proven that the law is not a weapon of the powerful but a shield for the people. He has shown that justice does not bow to wealth, influence, or even divinity.

In a country where false gods and self-proclaimed saviors have thrived for too long, he reminded the world that no one—not even a so-called God or a former President—is above the law.

His actions will be etched in history books, his courage will be remembered for generations, and his name will be spoken with the highest respect among those who still believe in justice.

General Torre is a man of honor, a true enforcer of the law, and the hero the Philippines needed in its darkest hours.

He is The Punisher who brought down a god and a drug lord.

And for that, history will never forget him.