DILG Sec. Jonvic Remulla Speaks on Decision of Pres. Bongbong Marcos To Relieve PNP Chief Nicolas Torre III
BONGBONG MARCOS – Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla confirmed that the President is considering relieved Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Nicolas Torre III for another government post.
PNP Chief Nicolas Torre III was ordered relieved from his post by Pres. Marcos “effective immediately”. In the letter released by the Palace, the reason behind the decision of Marcos Jr. to remove Torre as the head of the national police was not stated.
Marcos Jr.’s decision to relieve Torre from his position came around three (3) months after he appointed him to be the PNP chief. He succeeded retired former PNP Chief Rommel Francisco Marbil in the post.
Undeniably, Torre’s appointment was controversial. Many supporters of the Duterte family were against it after his role in the transfer of the custody of former Pres. Rodrigo Roa Duterte to the International Criminal Court in The Hague, Netherlands.
Amid the criticisms against Pres. Bongbong Marcos, then-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) chief Nicolas Torre III, and the government, Malacañang stressed that the government only did its job in lieu of its commitment with the Interpol.
The son of former Pres. Rodrigo Roa Duterte, then-Davao Mayor Baste Duterte, claimed that PNP Chief Nicolas Torre III’s promotion was allegedly based on favor and not on merits. In several occasions, the Duterte siblings have slammed the then-PNP Chief after what he did to their father.
Amid the relief of PNP Chief Nicolas Torre III, the Palace remained mum. It was Department of Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla who recently faced the press to speak on the decision of Pres. Bongbong Marcos.
Based on a report on GMA News, DILG Sec. Jonvic Remulla confirmed that Pres. Bongbong Marcos is considering relieved PNP chief Nicolas Torre III for another government position. However, he refused to speak on what position the President is considering Torre for.
“I was privy to a conversation that the President is considering him for another post in government. We will know soon if General Torre will accept,” Remulla said.
According to the DILG Secretary, he does not know which position Pres. Bongbong Marcos is considering to offer to relieved PNP chief Nicolas Torre III. Based on the report, he stressed that we will have to wait for the official announcement from the President.
“We will have to wait for the President to make the announcement. I am not at liberty to…I actually don’t (know) for a fact of what will be offered to him,” the DILG Secretary said.
Amid the issue, former senator and now Mamamayang Liberal Party-list Representative Leila de Lima questioned Marcos Jr.’s move of removing a “high-performing PNP chief” referring to Torre, from his post.