THE unexpected removal of Gen. Nicolas Torres III yesterday as PNP chief was seen by some sectors as proof of cracks in the Marcos government while others indirectly agreed with the relief, saying the general violated rules, particularly in the reassignment of police officials.
Members of the militant Makabayan bloc at the House of Representatives, in a statement, said Torre’s sudden removal is an “unmistakable evidence of escalating internal conflicts and systemic breakdown within the Marcos administration.”
Rep. Antonio Tinio (PL, ACT) said the leadership change and power play in the PNP proves there is a widening rift in the Marcos administration which has different factions.
“Different groups are jockeying for power amid the rampant corruption in the government, wanting public service, and worsening poverty of the people,” he said in Filipino.
For Sen. Panfilo Lacson, a former PNP chief, Torre “acted beyond his authority of unilaterally relieving” Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr., then second-in-command in the police hierarchy.
Nartatez was named yesterday as Torre’s replacement.
Lacson said “normally,” the designation and relief of the members of the PNP Command Group — the deputy PNP chief for administration, deputy PNP chief for operations, and the chief of directorial staff — should be cleared with the President or at least with the ex-officio chairman of the National Police Commission (Napolcom), and the secretary of the Department of Interior and Local Government.
In a statement, he recalled that during his time as PNP chief, then-President Joseph Estrada “gave me the blanket authority to run and manage the PNP” but did not do so.
“I did not exercise absolute authority over the designations of the members of the Command Group. Having said that, the relief of P/Gen. Torre is the sole prerogative of the President of the Philippines,” he said.
“What is important at this point is a smooth transition and transfer of command and authority so as not to hamper the overall mission of the PNP to continue maintaining peace and order for the benefit of the people whom they have sworn to ‘serve and protect,’” he added.
Sen. Ronald dela Rosa, who was a PNP chief during the Duterte administration, said Torre’s relief only shows the reality that any officer can be relieved at any given time “so you have to be ready.”
Dela Rosa said he has in mind probable reasons why Torre was relieved but would rather leave it to Malacañang to say.
As far as he knows, he said, the designation and relief of police officials rely on the PNP chief but it has to be with authority from higher-ups.
Domingo Egon Cayosa, former president of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines, said it is within the Napolcom’s power to rescind Torre’s controversial reshuffle order.
“Under Republic Act 6975 (Napolcom under DILG) and RA 8551 (PNP Reform and Reorganization Act of 1998), Napolcom has administrative control and operational supervision over the PNP,” Cayosa said.
PREROGATIVE
Senate President Francis Escudero said he was surprised over the relief but said it is the President’s prerogative to replace Torre because appointed officials serve at the chief executive’s pleasure.
Senate President pro tempore Jinggoy Estrada also said Torre serves at the pleasure of the President.
“Whatever the reason behind the leadership changes in the police force, I trust that this decision was made with the best interests of the Filipino people in mind,” he also said.
ILOCANO GENERALS
Sen. Imee Marcos, in an ambush interview in the Senate, said Torre should have seen his relief coming since Nartatez’ assignment to another post was considered a “demotion.”
Marcos said she accosted Torre when she saw him at the Senate a few days ago since he has literally demoted Nartatez and a number of police officials from the Ilocos region.
“To my understanding, Nartatez and a number of Ilocano generals were demoted. They were complaining of such reassignments. I accosted him (Torre) and asked why it happened. I told him that he should have not rushed as it has repercussions. I did not know that my words will become true,” she told reports in Filipino.
Marcos said as far as she knows, Torre did not seek clearance from Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla regarding the reassignments.
She said she has also received information that Torre’s classmates at the PNP Academy were “boasting” about a run for president or vice president in the 2028 elections.
“Masyadong maugong na nagmamalaki yung ibang classmate niya na tatakbong presidente o vice president sa 2028 at nakikitang nakapaskil ang kanilang mukha. Sabi nga ng iba di lang pala politiko ang epal. Kaya parang inaabangan na rin, siguro inaabanagan na rin ng ibang tao dahil may naririnig na pang-aabuso (There were reports that some of his [Torre’s] classmates were boasting about running as president or vice president in the 2028 elections as their faces were seen all over. Some have observed that it is not only politicians who are eager. That’s why the people are somehow expecting this because they are hearing abuses),” she added.
Marcos said she is uncertain of such reports because she just heard of it from some policemen.
DIVISIONS
Rep. Renee Louise Co (PL, Kabataan) said Torre’s open confrontation with Remulla about the unauthorized personnel changes “exposes serious divisions within the administration’s law enforcement machinery.”
“This recent development mirrors the typical behavior of reactionary and authoritarian governments where rival elite factions wage internal battles while ordinary citizens endure worsening public services, escalating costs of living, and persistent human rights abuses,” she said.
Rep. Leila de Lima (PL, Mamamayanng Liberal) said: “What’s happening?! They better have a good reason in doing that to a very popular, much appreciated and high-performing PNP Chief!”
Rep. Percival Cendaña said officials involved in alleged anomalous in flood control projects should be the ones removed. “’Anyare (What happened)?” he said. – With Ashzel Hachero
