This is one of the reasons why PNP Chief Nicolas Torre III was removed from his post.
Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla shares why former PNP Chief Nicolas Torre III was relieved despite the lack of any legal violations.
President Bongbong Marcos appointed Philippine National Police Chief Police General Nicolas Torre III in May 2025, and he only stayed in the post for almost three months. He was the police general behind the high-profile arrests of former president Rodrigo Duterte in March 2025 and alleged trafficker Apollo Quiboloy in September 2024.
He was Marcos’ fourth PNP chief, and was the first PNP chief from the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA). Recently, reports about his removal from his post surprised many. The country’s chief executive ordered Torre’s removal as police chief
DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla clarified that Torre did not commit any legal violation that warranted his relief from duty. Remulla answered questions after presiding over the surprise ceremony that officially declared Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez, Jr. as Torre’s replacement as PNP chief. The ceremony was held at Camp Crame in Quezon City.
“We are a country of laws and not of men.”
This was what Remulla expressed when asked why Torre was relieved, and added, “Institutions must be larger than the people who run it. The President saw it necessary that the institution of the PNP and the National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) be upheld [in] the spirit of the law.”
Among the cases considered was the recent reshuffling in the police force that NAPOLCOM eventually overturned. To recall, in the previous week, Torre introduced Lt. General Bernard Banac as the new deputy chief for administration — the second-highest PNP position. NAPOLCOM nullified this appointment.
Remulla described the president’s decision as “difficult but necessary,” but with the facts laid out, it was determined that the best course of action was to uphold NAPOLCOM’s mandate as provided by law.
Although brief, the chief executive and PNP had a “good working relationship,” and even during his time as the head of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG).
Former PNP chief and now Senator Panfilo Lacson said Torre may have overstepped his authority when he relieved his deputy, Nartatez. Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa, also a former PNP chief, added that Torre may have disregarded someone in a higher position of authority.
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