Palace offers new position to relieved PNP chief Torre

MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang confirmed it is offering a new post to former Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Nicolas Torre III, who was unceremoniously relieved after only three months at the helm.

Palace press officer Claire Castro said details of the new post could not be disclosed, but confirmed that Torre is being offered one. 

“Hindi pa po natin maisisiwalat ang detalye patungkol po dito, pero confirmed po na may inaalok po na posisyon,” she said at a press briefing on Wednesday, August 27.  

(We cannot disclose the details yet, but it is confirmed that a position is being offered.)

This came after Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin announced Tuesday morning that President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. had ordered Torre’s immediate relief as PNP chief, citing a letter dated August 25.

Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla also revealed at a press conference on August 26 that Torre may be assigned to another post as Marcos continues to value his experience and leadership.

PNP shake-up a concern

Pressed on why the four-star general — who led the arrests of detained preacher Apollo Quiboloy and former President Rodrigo Duterte — was relieved, Remulla clarified that Torre had not violated any laws nor faced any charges.

Although still vague, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) chief said one reason behind Torre’s relief was his directive to reassign his second-in-command, now PNP chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr., as commander of the Area Police Command in Western Mindanao.

The National Police Commission (Napolcom) opposed Torre’s order and issued a resolution reinstating Nartatez as deputy chief while overturning his reassignment of 12 other officers.

Some, like former PNP chief and Sen. Ping Lacson, said Torre acted “beyond his authority” in issuing such an order.

RELATED: Marcos mulling new post for relieved PNP chief Torre – Remulla

Castro reiterated Remulla’s statement, saying “there were issues they simply weren’t aligned with.”

She also said that Torre respected Marcos’ decision to relieve him, urging the public not to call the transition to Nartatez’s leadership at the PNP “messy.” 

Asked if the new post would be a Cabinet position, Castro declined to provide details, saying they are still awaiting Torre’s response.

What Torre has done in his 3 months

Torre formally assumed his post as PNP chief on June 2 after former Police General Rommel Marbil. He was also the first police chief to have graduated from the Philippine National Police Academy, with most coming from the Philippine Military Academy. 

In his three-month stint, he sought reforms in police operations, which include strict implementation of the five-minute response time to emergencies and close coordination with the Commission on Human Rights in the state’s anti-illegal drug campaign. 

It was also under Torre’s leadership that a disinformation drive was exposed, in which Facebook pages and pro-Duterte vloggers circulated misleading clips to depict widespread lawlessness and suggest the Duterte administration was more capable of preventing crime.

Torre’s sudden relief came as a surprise to many, with some House lawmakers voicing concern and criticizing Marcos’ decision as a sign of widening cracks within his administration. 

They also questioned why Public Works Secretary Manuel Bonoan remains in his post despite investigations uncovering ghost and substandard flood control projects, kickbacks involving congressional members, and yet Torre was swiftly removed. — with reports from Ian Laqui