Malacañang relieved Police Chief Nicolas Torre III as commander of the Philippine National Police (PNP) effective immediately, Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin said on Tuesday.
No reason was given at this point.
Bersamin did not say who would replace Torre.
A relief order dated August 25 signed by Bersamin has been circulating on social media, directing Torre to ensure the immediate and proper turnover of all matters, documents and information relative to his office “for the continuous and efficient delivery of public services in the PNP.”
Prior to the order, Torre and Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla had a conflict over the reshuffle of top police officials.
Remulla, chairman of the National Police Commission (Napolcom), nullified Torre’s order reassigning 13 high-ranking police officers and restored them to their previous assignments.
Napolcom is the oversight body that exercises administrative and operational supervision over the PNP.
Torre was appointed PNP Chief on May 29 vice Police General Rommel Marbil who retired from service.
Torre is the first graduate of PNP Academy to be appointed as police chief.
