Defiance of Napolcom order prompts PBBM to axe Torre from PNP top post

Former Philippine National Police chief Gen. Nicolas Torre III. (PNA photo by Robert Alfiler)

By Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos, Philippine News Agency

MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Tuesday admitted that Gen. Nicolas Torre III was removed as Philippine National Police (PNP) chief for refusing to comply with the National Police Commission (Napolcom) order to reverse the reassignment of senior officials.

“He did not agree with the directives that were coming out of Napolcom,” Marcos said, when asked about the reason for Torre’s dismissal from the top PNP post.

Marcos said he spoke with Torre several times about the Napolcom order, but the latter did not comply.

He emphasized a “very clear” chain of command, noting that “a civilian authority is the overwinning authority when it comes to the police.”

“Because the police [force] is technically a civilian organization, and Napolcom is the civilian authority that has the authority to monitor and to [oversee it]. It has powers — very specific powers in terms of the appointments, and that’s why they disagreed,” he said.

“But you know, we had many discussions about it beforehand. Hindi lang daw talaga niya magawa. So, sabi ko eh wala tayong magagawa kung ganoon ang sitwasyon (He just really said he couldn’t do it. So, I said, well, there’s nothing we can do if that’s the situation).”

The Napolcom, through Resolution 2025-0531 dated Aug. 14, ordered Torre to bring back Lt.

Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez as deputy chief for administration and Lt. Gen. Bernard Banac back as Area Police Command-Western Mindanao commander.

Banac and Nartatez switched posts on Aug. 6 upon Torre’s order.

In the resolution, the Napolcom cited its power to exercise administrative control and operational supervision over the PNP under Republic Act 6975 or the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Act.

On Aug. 25, Torre was ordered to relinquish his post and ensure proper turnover.

Nartatez replaced Torre.

PNP public information chief Brig. Gen. Randulf Tuaño said upon Torre’s return from his leave Aug. 28 to Sept. 29, he would be assigned to the Personnel Holding and Accounting Unit, which is under the PNP Directorate for Personnel and Records Management.

‘Good police officer’

On the fourth episode of his podcast, Marcos clarified that he had not lost trust and confidence in Torre, even describing the former PNP chief as a “good commander [who] was protecting his people.”

“He did such a [good job]. Ang galing niyang pulis (He’s a good police officer),” Marcos said on his latest podcast aired Wednesday, when asked whether loss of confidence was among the reasons for Torre’s dismissal.

Marcos confirmed that he intends to offer Torre a new government post but declined to disclose the position.

“We’ll find a way to avail of his talents,” he said. “Let me tell him first. Abangan ang mga susunod na kabanata (Wait for the next chapter),” he said.