Statement of Malacañang Following Relief of Nicolas Torre III as PNP Chief
Malacañang confirmed that President Bongbong Marcos is offering a new position in the government to former Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Nicolas Torre III.
The Philippine National Police is now under a new lead following the relief of former PNP chief Nicolas Torre III as ordered by Pres. Bongbong Marcos. Police Lieutenant General Jose Melencio Nartatez is currently the officer-in-charge of the national police.
Nartatez was the second-in-command but Torre assigned him to lead the Area Police Command-Western Mindanao. It was the alleged root of the relief of the former PNP Chief but Malacañang did not disclose the reason behind the decision of Marcos Jr.
In a letter signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin in behalf of the President, Torre was told to ensure a smooth transfer of the matters and the documents relative to the office. Countless Filipinos were shocked by the letter released by Malacañang.
Former Senator and now Mamamayang Liberal Party-List Representative Leila de Lima even questioned the move to relieve Nicolas Torre III who she described as a “high-performing PNP chief”. According to her, the Marcos Jr. administration should better have a good reason behind the move.
Meanwhile, amid the silence of Malacañang as well as Nicolas Torre III over his relief as the PNP Chief, Department of Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla clarified that former PNP Chief Torre did not commit any violation against the laws. According to him, the former PNP Chief was also not charged of any criminal or administrative case.
Remulla also claimed that based on what he knew, Pres. Bongbong Marcos is considering to offer former PNP Chief Nicolas Torre III another position in the government. However, he also claimed that he is not aware on the specific position and he is not in the position to reveal it.
The statement of the Interior Secretary led many Filipinos into making a guess about which position Marcos Jr. may offer to Torre. Recently, Malacañang broke its silence over the said claim.
Malacañang press officer undersecretary Claire Castro confirmed that Pres. Bongbong Marcos is offering former PNP Chief Nicolas Torre III a new government post based on a report on GMA News. However, she refused to divulge which specific position is being offered to the former PNP Chief.
“Hindi pa po natin maisisiwalat ang detalye patungkol po dito pero confirmed po na may inaalok pong posisyon,” the Malacañang press officer said.
Recently, following his relief from his post, former PNP Chief Nicolas Torre III issued a message for the Filipino people.