Statement of Former PNP Chief Nicolas Torre III on Relief from Post Ordered by Marcos Jr.
Former PNP Chief Nicolas Torre III spoke on the decision of President Bongbong Marcos to remove him from the national police lead.
The order of Pres. Bongbong Marcos to relieve Nicolas Torre III as the chief PNP (Philippine National police) shocked countless Filipinos. In a letter signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, there was also no mention of the reason why Marcos Jr. has come up to a decision to remove Torre from the PNP lead.
The order of the President was mandated to take effect immediately. Police Lieutenant General Jose Melencio Nartatez has sworn as the officer-in-charge of the PNP following the relief of Torre. He was a second-in-command before Torre has transferred him to another position which is speculated as the alleged cause of the issue.
Meanwhile, amid the speculations on the real reason why Nicolas Torre III was removed as the chief of the national police, the Department of Interior and Local Government or DILG said the removal of Torre as the chief PNP was simply a choice of the President.
According to Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla, Torre did not violate any law. He also made it clear that the former PNP Chief was not charged of any criminal or administrative case and he always has a “great” relationship with the Marcos administration.
Furthermore, Remulla also hinted that Marcos Jr. is offering another government post for former PNP Chief Nicolas Torre III. Malacañang recently confirmed the claim of the DILG Secretary but Palace press officer undersecretary Claire Castro refused to reveal which position Torre is being offered with.
Recently, for the first time since he was relieved from his post, former PNP Chief Nicolas Torre III spoke to the press in a chance interview. Based on a report on ABS-CBN News, Torre clarified that he has no resentment over the decision of Pres. Bongbong Marcos.
“Wala akong sama ng loob. I’m a good soldier. Kung may order, I just follow it,” the former PNP Chief said.
Based on the report, Nicolas Torre III also claimed that “this is not the first time that this happened” in his 30 years as a policeman. According to him, he always bounced back. He also clarified that remains in good terms with Interior Sec. Jonvic Remulla after the latter claimed that he tried to call Torre over his relief but he did not receive his calls or made a return call.
The former PNP Chief blamed the “slow internet connection” over the claims of Remulla. Based on the report, he also challenged the reporters to look at him in the eyes to really see his side over his relief as the chief of the national police which was ordered by Marcos Jr.
“Look at me straight to the eye. Do I look like somebody who is bitter? Kung kamusta ako? Okay,” Torre said.
When asked about the issue, acting Davao City Mayor Baste Duterte claimed he really does not care about Torre and he has not informed his father, former Pres. Rodrigo Duterte about it. Mayor Baste Duterte also claimed that someone allegedly cannot be a PNP chief without doing any nonsense towards their family and their supporters.