Ched Rick Gatchalian

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What some Senators think about Torre's sudden removal as PNP chief

RG Cruz

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/175618794764020250604-gen-torre-nicolas-AC-1.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">PNP Chief PGen. Nicolas Torre poses for a photograph before an interview inside the ABS-CBN compound in Quezon City on June 4, 2025. <em>Alexis Carlo Corpuz, ABS-CBN News</em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA (<strong>UPDATED</strong>) — Several lawmakers on Tuesday shared their sentiments about the sudden removal of Gen. Nicolas Torre IIl as Philippine National Police (PNP) chief. </p><p>Senator Ronald &quot;Bato&quot; dela Rosa said he is still upset with Torre over his involvement in the arrest of his allies former President Rodrigo Duterte and televangelist Apollo Quiboloy—but he also feels sorry for him as former PNP chief.</p><p>&quot;Galit ako sa kanya, sa ginawa niya, kay Pastor Apollo Quiboloy at kay President Duterte. Pero ngayon naaawa ako sa kanya. Dahil nung ginawa niya lahat-lahat, binigyan siya ng position, tapos sinibak na rin siya,&quot; the senator shared.</p><p>Dela Rosa said he understands Torre&#x27;s situation as he also once served as the country&#x27;s top cop.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/8/26/pnp-chief-nicolas-torre-relieved-from-post-palace-0813">Torre sacked as PNP chief as Marcos backs Napolcom authority</a></div><p>&quot;Because I&#x27;ve been there. What if ako ang nandyan, nakaupo, at sinunod ko lahat ng orders, nagbibigay ng orders sa akin. Lahat-lahat na ginawa ko, kahit na bordering to illegal acts, unconstitutional acts, questionable acts, ginawa ko na lahat-lahat. Pagkatapos, ngayon, tanggalin lang niyo ako ng unceremoniously.&quot;</p><p>Dela Rosa previously met with Torre recently in his function as chairman of the Senate Committee with jurisdiction over the PNP.</p><p>He said he is being &quot;civil and professional&quot; when discussing with PNP and Torre.</p><p>For the former PNP chief, Torre&#x27;s relief is a fact of life for any PNP chief.</p><p>&quot;Well, it just goes to show na walang forever. That&#x27;s the reality sa serbisyo. Anytime you can be relieved, so you have to be ready. You have to be read,&quot; Dela Rosa said, adding that the PNP is already used to a high turnover rate for the PNP chief.</p><p>Dela Rosa said despite his relief, Torre&#x27;s benefits are intact.</p><p>&quot;Andyan pa rin. Relief is just a routine function ng organization yan. Kahit na you are from force, if you are not facing administrative or criminal cases, then, andyan lahat ng mga benefits,&quot; he said.</p><p>Senate President Francis Escudero hopes there will be no problem with the morale of the PNP.</p><p>&quot;Sana hindi maapektuhan dahil again, serving at the pleasure of the president ang sinumang PNP chief at umaasa ko na patuloy gagampanan ng ating mga kapulisan ang kanilang sinumpaan tungkulin, sinuman ang mapili o piniling PNP chief ng ating Pangulo.&quot;</p><div><strong> </strong></div><div><strong>&#x27;BAD IMPRESSION&#x27;</strong></div><p>Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada meanwhile recalled his bad first impression of Torre when he became PNP chief.</p><p>&quot;Well, if you remember, the first time when he was appointed as chief PNP, sinabi ko na we have the most arrogant chief of police in the police force. Siguro, I really do not know the reason behind his relief. But I think the president knows best. I trust that this decision has made the best interest of the Filipino people in mind,&quot; he stressed.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/8/26/-what-s-happening-speculation-puzzlement-after-torre-s-removal-as-pnp-chief-1110">House minority solons question Torre’s removal as PNP chief</a></div><p>&quot;Nung umpisa, talagang masama talagang impression ko. Pero he was doing his job as the chief PNP,&quot; he added.</p><p>Senator Panfilo &quot;Ping&quot; Lacson believes Torre was removed from the helm of the Philippine National Police because he acted “beyond his authority” of unilaterally relieving his second in command, Lt. Gen. Nartatez, who now replaces him as PNP chief.</p><p>Lacson stressed that the relief of Torre is the sole prerogative of the President.</p><p>He added that it is important to have a smooth transition and transfer of command to avoid hampering the overall mission of PNP.</p><p>Senate Majority Floor Leader Joel Villanueva said they were caught by surprise by the development. &quot;But at the end of the day, we respect the appointing authority so it is what it is,&quot; he added.</p><p>Meanwhile, Senator Imee Marcos believes Torre&#x27;s removal is the call of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG): &quot;Palagay ko call ni DILG yun. Klaro naman na si Jonvic (Remulla) eh hindi na happy siguro doon, eh siya ang nasundan ng Pangulo.&quot;</p><p>She also expressed confidence that PLtGen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr., who has taken his oath as the new head of the police force, is capable of taking on the job. </p><p>&quot;Magaling naman yun. At natutuwa naman ako, kilala ko at least isang opisyal na kilala ko,&quot; said Marcos. </p><div><br/></div><div><strong>4-STAR GENERAL</strong></div><p>Escudero was also surprised by what happened but he maintained that the President was well within his right to remove Torre.</p><p>Escudero believes Torre&#x27;s exit will have no impact on peace and order but he thinks there maybe an administrative impact.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/8/26/nartatez-to-replace-torre-as-pnp-chief-1004">Nartatez to replace Torre as PNP chief: DILG</a></div><p>&quot;Wala ako nakikita ang epekto pero administratively maaaring meron. Dahil sa pagkakaalam ko ay 4-star general na si General Torre. So nangyari na rin yan dati na yung 4-star general ay hindi humahawak sa posisyon ng PNP chief,&quot; he stressed.</p><p>Dela Rosa noted that under the law, there can only be one 4-star general in the PNP.</p><p>&quot;But in this case, is very unique because he still has more than one year to go before his mandatory retirement age of 56. So, nasa kanya yan. If he doesn&#x27;t give up his rank, his 4-star rank, pwedeng ang chief PNP or yung magiging acting chief PNP is holding a 3-star rank only. Because andyan pa &#x27;yung hindi pa retired yung 4-star rank holder. Because according to the law, there should be only one 4-star in the Philippine National Police and that is the chief PNP.&quot;</p><p>Dela Rosa spelled out the options.</p><p>&quot;He can be assigned with the Office of the Chief PNP in floating status. Floating status, for accounting purposes, dyan ka lang sa Office of the Chief PNP kasi you are still receiving salaries and remuneration from the government. So kailangan ma-account ka and in order for you to be accounted for, you have to stay with the office of the chief PNP. Hanggang magretire siya because  kung pipilitin mo siyang mag-retire, that would be against the law,&quot; he said.</p><p>&quot;Hanggat hindi siya mag-retire, nasa kanya ang 4 star rank, hindi talaga pwede magkakaroon dalawang 4-star sa PNP,&quot; he added. -- <strong>with a report from Victoria Tulad, ABS-CBN News</strong></p><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEOS</strong></div><div><br/></div><div><strong><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/sP-6JMevSVE?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></strong><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Z2H5Lubgrfc?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div>

<p>Sen. Bato dela Rosa noted that under the law, there can only be one 4 star general in the PNP.</p>

Sen. Bato dela Rosa noted that under the law, there can only be one 4 star general in the PNP.

'Walang forever': Senators react to Torre's sudden removal as PNP chief

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'Walang forever': Senators react to Torre's sudden removal as PNP chief

RG Cruz,

ABS-CBN News

Published Aug 26, 2025 02:00 PM PHT

|

Updated Aug 26, 2025 03:06 PM PHT

Read More:

Nicolas Torre

PNP

Philippine National Police

PNP Chief

Chiz Escudero

Bato Dela Rosa

Jinggoy Estrada

Ping Lacson

Senate

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