DILG denies Torre sacked over refusal to buy rifles

MANILA, Philippines — There is no truth to allegations that Gen. Nicolas Torre III’s refusal to purchase 80,000 assault rifles for the Philippine National Police was the reason why he was removed from the top PNP post, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) said.

Social media posts that went viral on Wednesday said Torre’s sacking was due to insubordination as the former PNP chief did not want to sign a request for endorsement and budget support to Congress for the purchase of the rifles supposedly on the instructions of Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla.

In a statement issued yesterday, the DILG branded the story as false.

While Remulla received an unsolicited proposal to purchase 80,000 units of 5.56mm assault rifles, the DILG said he had asked Torre to assess the  operational necessity for the guns.

The DILG said Remulla also reminded Torre that the purchase could only be done through a congressional insertion as it was not included in the national expenditure program.

“Since his assumption (of office), Secretary Remulla has never facilitated nor endorsed any congressional budget insertion,” the DILG said.

During the 124th Police Service anniversary at Camp Crame on Aug. 12, the DILG said Torre told Remulla that he did not think the purchase of the firearm was necessary.

“The Secretary concurred with Gen. Torre’s assessment. There was no directive to purchase,” the DILG said.

Torre on Wednesday did not take phone calls or reply to messages on Viber when asked about the issue.

During a news briefing at Camp Crame on Tuesday, Remulla said among the primary reasons for Torre’s relief was his refusal to abide by an order of the National Police Commission, recalling his reshuffle of 13 senior police officials including Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr., the current acting PNP chief.

Remulla chairs the Napolcom.

Asked for the other reasons, Remulla did not elaborate.

“That is between the national security apparatus and him, and that is an executive privilege we cannot divulge,” Remulla said.