PNP Chief Relieved Over Senior Officers Reassignment
Former Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Gen. Nicolas Torre III was relieved from his position following a directive from the National Police Commission (Napolcom) regarding the reassignment of 13 senior officers. This development was confirmed by Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla, who cited the Napolcom order as a key factor in the President’s decision.
Among the transferred officials was then-Deputy Chief for Administration Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr., the second-highest-ranking officer in the PNP. Torre reassigned Nartatez as commander of the Area Police Command (APC) Western Mindanao on August 6.
Napolcom Orders Reinstatement and Modification
In an August 14 resolution, Napolcom instructed Torre to reinstate Nartatez to his former post as deputy chief. The commission also demanded modifications to the transfers of the other 12 officers. Failure to comply would result in administrative sanctions, officials reported.
Interior Secretary Remulla explained that the President considered the Napolcom directive, among other factors, in making the decision to relieve Torre. “He did not violate any laws. He has not been charged criminally nor administratively. It is simply a choice of the President to take a new direction for the PNP,” he clarified during a press briefing at Camp Crame.
Presidential Memorandum Relieves Torre
Torre’s relief was formalized through a memorandum signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin dated August 25. “We are a country of laws and not of men. The institutions must be larger than the people who run it,” said Remulla, emphasizing the administration’s commitment to upholding the law and the integrity of the PNP and Napolcom.
He added, “This was not an easy choice, but it was made in the national interest. The President is committed to ensuring a unified direction and collaboration across all areas in his Cabinet, particularly those responsible for delivering security, peace and order.”
New Leadership Takes Charge
Following Torre’s removal, Remulla confirmed that Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. would succeed him as acting PNP chief. Minutes later, Nartatez was sworn in as the officer-in-charge and assumed command of the police force, community members said.
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