Julia Christine Botin

Torre 'unfairly treated' but committed lapses - ex-PH Constabulary officer

Article (news)

David Dizon

ABS-CBN News

<p>A retired officer of the Philippine Constabulary believes Gen. Nicolas Torre III was “unfairly treated” after his <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=inNj_nDTu9c">removal as Philippine National Police chief</a> but admitted Torre may have committed lapses during his short term as PNP chief.</p><p>Torre, who made headlines for high-profile arrests of ex-president Rodrigo Duterte and televangelist Apollo Quiboloy, was relieved from his post Tuesday, barely 3 months since he took the helm of the police force.</p><p>In an interview, retired colonel Mariano Santiago said many Philippine Military Academy graduates have great respect for Torre.</p><p>“Kaming graduate ng PMA malaki ang panghanga dito kay General Torre. Meron lamang problemang nangyari dito especially sa amin na galing sa military at ako na galing sa Philippine Constabulary na naging parte ng Armed Forces....meron sigurong konting naging lapse si Gen. Torre dahil ako mismo, iniisip ko na unfairly treated siya,” he said in a DZMM interview.</p><p>He added: “Sa mission ng military, hindi pupwedeng hindi susunod dun sa principle ng unity of command. Nagkataon na ang supervision and control ng PNP ay ibinigay sa [National Police Commission]. After magkaroon ng review ‘yung ginawang reshuffle ni Gen. Torre na sa palagay ko intended niya ma-streamline at talagang kumpleto ang kanyang control sa pulisya ay nakaligtaan niya na merong nakatataas sa kanya.&quot;</p><p>Santiago said Torre erred when he introduced his new deputy chief despite the Napolcom order rescinding his order to reassign PLt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. as Western Mindanao area police commander.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/8/26/pnp-reshuffle-a-factor-in-torre-removal-dilg-1157">PNP reshuffle a factor in Torre removal: Remulla</a></div><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>Nartatez is now the new PNP chief, replacing Torre.</p><div><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/nLvdgkCV8TI?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div><p>“Matapos na pagsabihan na siya at binawi ‘yung kanyang ginawang reshuffle, parang lumabas pala doon sa flag ceremony ng PNP na pinakilala pa rin niya ‘yung sinasabi niya na, ito ‘yung aking deputy,” Santiago said.</p><p>“Na-defy niya. Extension ng presidente ang Napolcom...na nagkataon naman na ang chairman ay ang Secretary of [the Interior and Local Government]...Dapat siguro sumunod siya (Torre) o kaya nagpaalam muna na babalasahin ko.”</p><p>The ex-Philippine Constabulary officer said Sen. Panfilo Lacson was correct when he said that Torre’s action was an overreach when he unilaterally &quot;relieved&quot; Nartatez.</p><p>President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. also recognized Torre’s accomplishments by promoting him as PNP chief.</p><p>“Malaki naman ang paghanga sa kanya ng Presidente noon. ‘Yun ang kanyang reward,” he said.</p><p>However, he said the President could have talked to Torre privately before Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin announced his relief.</p><p>“Dapat siguro kinausap siya silently. Kung ako ‘yung presidente, siguro tatawagin ko siya (Torre) sa Palasyo at hindi ko naman siya gagawan ng embarrassment,” he said.</p><p>In the interview, Santiago said Torre’s removal does not mean Nartatez is automatically promoted to 4-star rank.</p><p>“Hanggat hindi binabakante ni Gen. Torre ‘yung kanyang rank, hindi siya nag-retire o nag-resign sa serbisyo, hindi maibibigay ang kanyang ranggo sa iba,” he said.</p><p>He said Torre should also accept whatever position is offered to him, not to pacify him “but for his own peace of mind.”</p><p>“Mahirap mong kalabanin ‘yung nasa taas. It will also promote division in the ranks,” he said.</p><p>DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla earlier said Torre&#x27;s removal was &quot;difficult but necessary”, adding he has not been charged with any administrative or criminal case and did not commit any violation.</p><p>He said the four-star general was given the option to retire and is also being considered for another Cabinet post.</p><div><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/JuHU29UpWns?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div><p>Acting Davao City Mayor Sebastian Duterte, who had earlier challenged Torre to a fistfight, said the police chief’s removal is a demotion.</p><p>&quot;Kung naging chief PNP ka na, demoted na talaga siya. Wala nang mas mataas pa diyan sa pagkapulis mo. Hindi ka naman puwedeng ilagay sa ibang appointed position. Demoted siya pero sa tingin ko mayroon talagang internal conflict na nangyari diyan. Hindi rin naman clear ang statement ng Malacañang kung bakit siya tinanggal,” he said.</p><p>Ex-PNP chief and now Sen. Ronald &quot;Bato&quot; dela Rosa said he feels sorry for Torre despite the latter&#x27;s role in the arrest of ex-President Duterte and Apollo Quiboloy. </p><div><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/md7cSKV1LXQ?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div>

<p>A retired officer of the Philippine Constabulary believes Gen. Nicolas Torre III was “unfairly treated” after his removal as Philippine National Police chief but admitted Torre may have committed lapses during his short term as PNP chief.</p>

A retired officer of the Philippine Constabulary believes Gen. Nicolas Torre III was “unfairly treated” after his removal as Philippine National Police chief but admitted Torre may have committed lapses during his short term as PNP chief.