Torre’s retirement OK’d; Nartatez up for promotion

MANILA, Philippines — Acting Philippine National Police chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. will finally receive his four-star rank after the optional retirement of former PNP chief Gen. Nicolas Torre III has been approved.

In a Jan. 19 order, the PNP said Torre’s retirement was approved based on a resolution by the National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM).

Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla said the donning of rank ceremony to be led by President Marcos could happen next week.

“We are inviting General Torre to hand over the flag to General Nartatez,” Remulla told reporters.

Remulla maintained there is no bad blood between him and Torre, noting that he processed the papers for the latter’s retirement.

Remulla said he congratulated Torre when he was appointed as general manager of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) by President Marcos last December.

“Past is past. We have moved on,” Remulla said.

Torre served as PNP chief for about two months after Marcos relieved him from his post in August last year following disagreements with the NAPOLCOM on reshuffles of senior police officials.

Prior to his appointment to the MMDA, Torre was on floating status.

Torre would have continued to hold the four-star rank until he reached the mandatory retirement age of 56 on March 11.

He was the first graduate of the Philippine National Police Academy appointed as PNP chief.