Palace mum on reasons for relief
PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has relieved Gen. Nicolas Torre III as chief of the 228,000-strong PNP and designated Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. as his replacement.
Nartatez yesterday took over the helm of the police force during rites presided by Interior Secretary Juanito Victor “Jonvic” Remulla at the PNP national headquarters in Camp Crame.
In a press briefing, Remulla said the President made a “difficult but necessary decision” to relieve Torre, who assumed the post of PNP chief last June 2.
“The President believes that his national security apparatus must always work within the framework of the law,” Remulla said.
Torre’s relief was contained in a relief order signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin on August 25.
The order did not indicate the reason for Torre’s relief.
In the document, Bersamin directed 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.”
Torre is the first graduate of PNP Academy to be appointed as police chief.
In a press conference in Camp Crame, Remulla did not categorically state the reason for Torre’s relief, simply saying: “With the recent developments, the President was presented with the facts and he determined that the best course of action is to uphold the role of Napolcom (National Police Commission) as it was intended by law.”
Remulla was referring to the “conflict” between the PNP and the Napolcom after Torre reassigned ranking police officials without clearance from the latter, which is chaired by Remulla.
Nartatez was among the officials affected by the revamp. From being the PNP deputy chief for administration, he was reassigned as commander of the Area Police Command-Western Mindanao.
Napolcom later came out with a resolution voiding Torre’s order and directed the PNP to issue “corresponding orders” to recall the reassignments.
In issuing the resolution, Napolcom said that while the PNP has the power to designate, assign and reassign senior police officers, “the power to review, approve, reverse or modify such acts is within the authority of the Napolcom.”
In June 2023, then DILG secretary Benhur Abalos Jr. said reassignments in the PNP are subject to Napolcom and presidential approval, citing Napolcom Memorandum Circular No. 2019-0001, which provides that, “The assignment/designation of the [concerned positions] shall be submitted to the Commission for confirmation prior to the submission of the same to the President for approval.”
Abalos has said Napolcom’s authority on the matter stems from Sec. 6, Art. XVI of the 1987 Constitution, which provides that “the State shall establish and maintain one police force, which shall be national in scope and civilian in character, to be administered and controlled by a national police commission.”
Torre has earlier said the issue was already “settled,” adding that it was unfortunate that it came out to the attention of the public, through the media, when the matter was “internal” to the PNP and the Napolcom.
Asked if the issue was related to Torre’s relief, Remulla said: “That, among other things, is part of the consideration of the President.”
“He (President Marcos) has to make sure that the national security apparatus is always in one direction and in this case, the President felt he had to straighten things out and the decision was made to replace General Torre,” he said.
He also said that “we are a country of laws and not of men,” and the institutions “ must be larger than the people who run it.”
“And in this case, the President saw it necessary that the institution of the PNP and the Napolcom be upheld according to the spirit of the law as it was created,” he added.
NO ACTION VS TORRE
Remulla said Napolcom did not take any action against Torre in relation to the reassignment issue.
He likewise said that he did not recommend the Torre’s relief. “That is a prerogative of the President. I have no say whatsoever nor did I advise whatsoever,” he said.
He said he has a “great relationship” with Torre and “never had disagreements, save for the last few days, about certain things.”
“Until now, I consider him not only as a colleague but someone who has gone to battle with and who I trusted big decisions of the President with,” he also said.
As to other issues that may have contributed to the relief of Torre, Remulla said: “That is between the national security apparatus and him and that’s an executive privilege we cannot divulge.”
Remulla stressed that Torre did not violate any law and was not charged with an administrative offense.
“He has not been charged with any criminal case but he is a presidential appointee who serves at the pleasure of the President and the President has made a decision to go in another direction… The President reserves the right to see what is best fit for the PNP,” he said.
Remulla said Torre was properly informed about his relief, adding that he tried to get in touch with the former PNP chief on Monday night.
“I made five phone calls last night. I think he was in a dinner. But he was duly informed, properly informed of the decision of the President,” he said.
Pressed if Torre did not answer his calls, Remulla just said: “We had our own forms of communication and he did acknowledge.”
ANOTHER POST?
Remulla said Torre is being considered for a post in government but did not elaborate.
“However, I was privy to a conversation that the President is considering him for another post in government and we will know soon if General Torre will accept,” he said.
“He is being considered for another position because the President believes in his capacity, in his organizational strength, in his vast experience in the service. So the President believes that he can be of use in another position critical to the nation’s development,” he added.
Remulla said “we will have to wait for the President to make the announcement.”
He added that Marcos expressed his gratitude to Torre, noting that the latter’s “brief tenure brought new life and energy into the PNP.”
NARTATEZ
Remulla said the President ordered Nartatez to present within one month a “comprehensive citizen security strategy focused on increasing police presence throughout the country and ensuring that every Filipino feels secure in their communities.”
Torre was not present during the turn-over rites to Nartatez, a member of the Philippine Military Academy class of 1992.
In his address, Nartatez laid out some of his plans as the head of the PNP.
“Through proactive policing strategies and strategic partnership, we will ensure the swift apprehension and prosecution of offenders, sending a clear message that crime will not go unpunished,” he said, adding that he will continue with the five-minute response to emergency calls introdu ced by Torre “to ensure the public of timely intervention and protection.”
Nartatez said he will focus on addressing cybercrimes; made a commitment to fight illegal drugs, loose firearms and firearms; give paramount attention to the welfare of policemen; revisit, improve and implement a “risk management plan;” review and enhance security operations to intensify protection of vital installations; and enhance security protocols in managing public events and maintaining crowd control.
“Lastly, we will rigorously implement integrity monitoring at all levels to weed out rogues in service. Integrity is the cornerstone of public service, essential in gaining the trust and confidence of the community,” Nartatez said.
Nartatez said his aspiration is clear, which is to come up with a “resilient organization able to provide a safer, more secure environment for every Filipino where justice prevails and all can live without fear.”
Remulla said Nartatez is well qualified to head the PNP, noting that he has served the police force with “distinction” and “with honor and with integrity.”
He said the President went through the “papers and qualifications” of Nartatez.
“General Nartatez was the best qualified to be the next chief PNP,” he said.
Interviewed after the assumption ceremony, Nartatez said that he took over as officer-in-charge of the PNP though an earlier Malacañang order showed his designation is as “chief (Police General).”
“A while ago I took my oath and I signed my assumption as the officer-in-charge of the Philippine National Police… Same rank (Lieutenant General), and the designation is officer-in-charge of the Philippine National Police,” he said.
Nartatez will have to remain as a lieutenant general until after Torre retires from the PNP. Torre is due to reach the retirement age of 56 in March next year.
“He (Torre) has the option of retiring or staying but the question of the four-star (general) will be with the Napolcom to take up. But that is a collateral issue only to that who will be running the PNP,” said Remulla.
Nartatez said the “rank is different from designation.”
Nartatez said Torre will be assigned with the office of the PNP chief, “without any designation (position).”
“The mandatory retirement age is 56. Nobody can force (someone) to retire. There is an order for his relief and I have my designation orders. I follow,” he said.
“The National Police is a dynamic organization. We are covered by orders, we are covered by policies… Officers come and go, we always serve the trust and confidence of the appointing authority,” he also said.
There have been instances in the past where the PNP and AFP chiefs held the rank of lieutenant general because their predecessors were relieved well ahead of their retirement age. – With Jocelyn Reyes
