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PNP Chief PGen. Nicolas Torre answers questions during an interview inside the ABS-CBN compound in Quezon City on June 4, 2025. Alexis Carlo Corpuz, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

Rowegie Abanto

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/175617985127320250604-gen-torre-nicolas-AC-8.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">PNP Chief PGen. Nicolas Torre answers questions during an interview inside the ABS-CBN compound in Quezon City on June 4, 2025. Alexis Carlo Corpuz, ABS-CBN News </span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) said Tuesday that a reshuffle in the Philippine National Police (PNP) was a factor in the <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/8/26/pnp-chief-nicolas-torre-relieved-from-post-palace-0813">removal of Gen. Nicolas Torre III as head of the organization. </a></p><p>The National Police Commission earlier this month ordered Torre to recall his reassignment of some police officials.</p><p>&quot;That among other things, is part of the consideration of the President,&quot; DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla said when asked if the blocked reshuffle bid was connected to Torre&#x27;s relief.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/8/18/torre-breaks-silence-after-napolcom-blocks-pnp-reshuffle-bid-1231">Torre breaks silence after Napolcom blocks PNP reshuffle bid</a></div><p>The reshuffle had involved several high-ranking officials, including Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr., <strong></strong>PNP’s second in command <strong></strong>who Torre<a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/8/6/pnp-reassigns-2nd-highest-ranking-cop-to-mindanao-0931"> reassigned to Mindanao.</a></p><p><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/8/26/nartatez-to-replace-torre-as-pnp-chief-1004">Nartatez will replace Torre </a>as PNP chief, the DILG said earlier Tuesday.</p><p>The move was &quot;difficult but necessary&quot;, Remulla said. </p><p>&quot;The President believes that national security apparatus must always work within the framework of the law,&quot; the DILG chief said. </p><p>&quot;With the recent developments, the President must be presented with the facts and he determined that the best course of action is to uphold the role of Napolcom as it was intended by law,&quot; he said at a news conference in Camp Crame in Quezon City.</p><p>Remulla added that Torre&#x27;s removal was made &quot;in the national interest.&quot;</p><p>&quot;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,&quot; he said.</p><div><iframe width="1100" height="619" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/3J9HwZXrOEk" title="LIVE: DILG holds press conference | August 26" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><p>Before his designation as PNP chief, Torre had been lauded for leading separate arrest operations against former President Rodrigo Duterte, now detained at The Hague in the Netherlands, and suspected sex offender and trafficker Pastor Apollo Quiboloy.</p><p>Torre may have acted “beyond his authority” when he unilaterally &quot;relieved&quot; Nartatez, said Sen. Panfilo Lacson.</p><p>Lacson, a former national police chief, noted that the designation and relief of the members of the PNP Command Group should be cleared with the President or at least the ex-officio chairman of the Napolcom.</p><p>&quot;Having said that, the relief of PGen. Nicolas Torre III is the sole prerogative of the President of the Philippines. 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 &#x27;serve and protect,&#x27;&quot; he added.</p><p>Torre &quot;has the option of retiring or staying,&quot; Remulla said. </p><div><br/></div><div><strong> </strong></div>

<p>The Department of the Interior and Local Government said Tuesday that a reshuffle in the <i>Philippine National Police </i>was a factor in the removal of Gen. Nicolas Torre III as head of the organization. </p>

The Department of the Interior and Local Government said Tuesday that a reshuffle in the Philippine National Police was a factor in the removal of Gen. Nicolas Torre III as head of the organization.

PNP reshuffle a factor in Torre removal: Remulla

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PNP reshuffle a factor in Torre removal: Remulla

Rowegie Abanto,

ABS-CBN News

Published August 26, 2025 11:57 AM PHT

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Updated August 26, 2025 12:13 PM PHT

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PNP

Nicolas Torre

Philippine National Police

DILG

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