Statement of DILG on Position Offered to Former PNP Chief Nicolas Torre III
DILG – The Department of Interior and Local Government revealed that former Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Nicolas Torre III is offered “a position to fight corruption”.
Amid the issues and speculations, former PNP chief Nicolas Torre III claimed that he has no resentment over Pres. Bongbong Marcos’ decision to remove him from the lead of the national police. According to Torre, he is a good soldier and he knows how to follow orders.
In a chance interview following his relief from his post, the former PNP Chief also claimed that there were several instances during his 30-year tenure as a police offer that things like this happened and he always managed to bounce back. He stressed that he remains supportive of the President.
Torre also clarified that he remains in good terms with DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla. His remarks came after the Interior Secretary claimed that he tried to call the then-PNP Chief to inform him about his relief but he did not answer nor made a return call.
According to the former PNP Chief, the “slow internet connection” is the reason behind their failed communication. Meanwhile, he stressed that as what the Interior Secretary said, there is no problem over his relief from the post.
Malacañang previously confirmed that former PNP Chief Nicolas Torre III is indeed being offered a new post. DILG Sec. Jonvic Remulla previously hinted on it but refused to specify which position the President is mulling to extend to the former PNP Chief. The Palace also did not divulge details about the position.
Meanwhile, recently, DILG Sec. Jonvic Remulla spoke anew on the position being offered to former PNP chief Nicolas Torre III. Based on a report on GMA News, the Interior Secretary revealed that the post has something to do with the government’s fight against corruption.
“It has something to do with anti-corruption. So, I’m telling you…The President still really believes in General Torre. It is still enough that he be… offered a position to fight corruption and to investigate corruption,” he expressed.
Furthermore, based on the report, DILG Sec. Remulla added that the situation allegedly shows that differences in opinions don’t really have to end with the ceasing of a friendship nor a working relationship. Previously, the Interior Secretary stressed that it would still depend on the former PNP Chief if he will accept the offer.
Despite the claims of the people within the Marcos administration, acting Davao City Mayor Baste Duterte believes that an “internal conflict” could have resulted to the relief of Nicolas Torre III as the chief PNP. He also stressed that the situation shows that Torre is really “demoted”.