Former PNP Chief Nicolas Torre Speaks on “Another Government Position” Offer to him
TORRE – The former Chief of the Philippine National Police admitted he’s “not qualified” to be the next National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) head amid the vacancy in the position.
The national police is now under the lead of Police Lieutenant General Jose Melencio Nartatez who was appointed as the Officer-in-Charge after Torre’s relief as PNP chief. The order of President Bongbong Marcos shocked countless people as it came less than three (3) months since Torre’s appointment to the position.
Pres. Bongbong Marcos appointing former PNP chief Nicolas Torre III to the position even earned criticisms including the remarks from then-Davao Mayor Baste Duterte. According to the now acting Mayor of Davao City, Torre’s promotion is allegedly not merit-based but based on favor.
Torre was part of the team that arrested two (2) huge personalities in the Philippines — Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) founder and leader Apollo Quiboloy and former Pres. Rodrigo Roa Duterte. Thus, his appointment to lead the PNP was heavily-criticized by the Duterte supporters.
He also set a “charity boxing match” against acting Davao Mayor Baste Duterte after he accepted the latter’s “challenge” into a fistfight. According to him, he found it as an opportunity to raise funds to help the victims of the typhoon and flooding in the country.
The said “charity boxing match” between former PNP Chief Nicolas Torre and acting Davao Mayor Baste Duterte raised P20 million even if the latter was no show to the event. The then-head of the PNP was declared “winner by default”.
Amid the issues and speculations over Torre’s relief as the chief of the national police, the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) confirmed that Marcos Jr. is considering to offer another position to the former PNP Chief. Yesterday, Malacañang confirmed that there is indeed an offer to the former PNP Chief but the Palace press official did not disclose the position.
Recently, during his first interview with the reports following his relief as the chief of the national police, a reporter mentioned to former PNP chief Nicolas Torre III about the vacancy in the National Bureau of Investigation. Former NBI chief Jaime Santiago has left the position vacant after he tendered his “irrevocable resignation” to Pres. Bongbong Marcos.
However, based on a post of ABS-CBN News, former PNP Chief Nicolas Torre III was quick to say that he is not qualified to be the next chief of the NBI. Only lawyers who have practiced their profession for at least 15 years are qualified to lead the investigation bureau as per the NBI Act.
“I’m not qualified for it,” Torre said on the NBI chief position.
The former PNP Chief told the press to just wait for what will happen next on whether or not he will accept the government position being offered to him or he will file an early retirement. He stressed that he remains a member of the PNP. The former PNP Chief also claimed that he has no resentment over Marcos Jr.’s order to relieve him from his post.