Statement of DILG on Relief of PNP Chief Nicolas Torre III
DILG – Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla stressed that the relief of Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Nicolas Torre III stems from the choice of President Bongbong Marcos.
Early today, many Filipinos were shocked about the news reports that PNP Chief Nicolas Torre III is ordered relieved from his post by Pres. Bongbong Marcos. The order is “effective immediately” based on the letter released by Malacañang.
The order was signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, ‘by the order of the President’. In the said letter, it was not mentioned as to why Marcos Jr. has decided to remove Torre from his position. He has a very short stint in the PNP spanning only around three (3) months.
PNP Chief Nicolas Torre III succeeded former PNP Chief Police General Rommel Francisco Marbil. The appointment of Torre was even controversial as there are Filipinos, most especially the supporters of former Pres. Rodrigo Roa Duterte, who are against it. He played a significant role in the transfer of the custody of the former Chief Executive to the International Criminal Court in The Hague, Netherlands.
Duterte is detained inside the ICC detention facility since March. The children of the former President have slammed the relieved PNP Chief several times in their statements. Acting Davao Mayor Baste Duterte even criticized Nicolas Torre III’s appointment by Pres. Bongbong Marcos for the PNP chief position.
The Palace and relieved PNP Chief Nicholas Torre III remained mum on the decision of Pres. Bongbong Marcos. Recently, DILG Sec. Jonvic Remulla held a press conference and spoke on the relief of the PNP Chief.
Based on a post of Inquirer on social media, the DILG Secretary stressed that the move to relieve PNP Chief Nicolas Torre III from his post is “simply a choice of the President”. According to him, the decision is part of Marcos Jr.’s pursuit to take the PNP to a new direction.
Remulla clarified that relieved PNP chief Nicolas Torre III did not commit a violation of any law. Furthermore, based on the post, the DILG Secretary also stressed that Torre is not charged criminally or administratively with any law violation.
“He did not violate any laws. He has not been charged with any violations. He has not been charged criminally or administratively. It is simply a choice of the President to take a new direction for the PNP,” the DILG Secretary said.
Amid the silence of the Palace, the Interior Secretary also unveiled that PLtGen. Jose Melencio Nartatez will serve as the next PNP chief after Nicolas Torre III was relieved from his post.