Sen. Bato dela Rosa Reacts To Nicolas Torre’s Relief as PNP Chief
BATO DELA ROSA – The Senator reacted to the unexpected relief of former Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Nicolas Torre III.
Countless Filipinos were surprised when Malacañang released a letter declaring the order of President Bongbong Marcos to relieve Nicolas Torre III as PNP chief. It was not mentioned in the letter why the Chief Executive has decided to remove Torre just around three (3) since he appointed him to lead the national police.
Torre is a former chief of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) before he was appointed by Marcos Jr. as the PNP chief. He played significant roles in the arrests of Pastor Apollo Quiboloy and former Pres. Rodrigo Roa Duterte.
In fact, Pres. Bongbong Marcos picking Nicolas Torre III to lead the PNP did not sit well with the Duterte family as well as the supporters of the former President. Prior to the announcement of his appointment, the Interior department said Pres. Bongbong Marcos picked an “excellent, very qualified, very dynamic” person as the next PNP chief.
Then-Davao Mayor Baste Duterte was one of those who reacted to Nicolas Torre III’s appointment as PNP chief by Marcos Jr. According to the youngest son of former Pres. Rodrigo Duterte, the said appointment was allegedly not based on merits but on favor.
Recently, following the order of Pres. Bongbong Marcos to relieve Nicolas Torre III as PNP chief, known Duterte ally and also a former chief of the national police, Senator Bato dela Rosa, reacted to the removal of Torre from the PNP lead.
According to Sen. Bato dela Rosa, he has no idea if Nicolas Torre III abused his power as the PNP chief that is why he was relieved from his position. However, he stressed that this situation shows that there is no forever in public service.
“Well, it just goes to show na walang forever. That’s the reality sa serbisyo — anytime you can be relieved, so you have to be ready,” Dela Rosa said.
Sen. Bato dela Rosa served as the PNP chief from 2016 to 2018 under the Duterte administration. Amid the speculations and accusations that Nicolas Torre might have abused his powers by demoting now-PNP chief Nartatez, the former PNP chief-turned-Senator relayed his experience during his term.
“I don’t know if he did it without the clearance of Malacañang, then maybe meron siyang nasagasaan. As I’ve said during my time, nagki-clear ako sa Malacañang na minsan, mabilisan ang kailangang aksyunan kaagad, nag-issue ako order then later on I’ll just inform Malacañang na ito ang ginawa ko,” the Senator said.
When asked if Nicolas Torre III deserved to be removed from being the PNP Chief, Sen. Bato dela Rosa said that it is expected in public service that anyone can be relieved anytime. Based on a report on Inquirer, in the view of Sen. Ping Lacson who is also a former chief of the national police, Torre allegedly “acted beyond his authority” in “unilaterally relieving his second-in-command, Nartatez”.
Amid the issues, DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla said that based on what he has heard, Pres. Bongbong Marcos is mulling to offer another government post for relieved PNP chief Nicolas Torre III.