MANILA, Philippines — Former Philippine National Police chief Gen. Nicolas Torre III has effectively resigned from the PNP after he accepted the post of general manager of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), the National Police Commission (Napolcom) said yesterday.
“With the appointment of Torre to the MMDA and his acceptance of the post, he has ipso facto resigned from the police force,” Napolcom vice chairman Rafael Vicente Calinisan said in a statement.
Calinisan said there is no more hurdle to acting PNP chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez getting the four-star rank, which Torre held even if the latter was relieved from his post last August over disagreements with the Napolcom over his reshuffle of senior police officials.
Had Torre rejected the MMDA post, he would continue to hold the four-star rank until he reaches the mandatory retirement age of 56 in March 2027.
“This provides that much needed clarity in the PNP, as Nartatez has full operational accountability and leadership responsibilities for months now,” Calinisan said.
The PNP has yet to issue a statement on Torre’s oath-taking as new MMDA general manager.
Meanwhile, Vice President Sara Duterte was mum on Torre’s appointment to the MMDA.
“Maybe he should comment on his appointment,” Duterte said.
Before his appointment to MMDA, Torre led high-profile operations, including the arrests of former president Rodrigo Duterte at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport and of accused trafficker and sex offender Apollo Quiboloy in Davao City.
He was the fourth PNP chief under the Marcos administration. — Bella Cariaso