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Police General Nicolas D. Torre III delivers his speech as the 31st Chief of the Philippine National Police during the PNP Change of Command Ceremony at Camp BGen Rafael T. Crame in Quezon City on June 2, 2025. PNP Photo

Article (news)

Police General Nicolas D. Torre III

David Dizon

Izzy Lee

ABS-CBN News

<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/3IU1X1Qvj-M?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div><p>MANILA<strong> (UPDATE) </strong>— Ex-Philippine National Police chief Gen. Nicolas Torre III denied Thursday applying for optional retirement, saying he has questions about the alleged order that he sought early retirement. </p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/1/21/pnp-oks-torre-s-retirement-paving-way-for-nartatez-promotion-as-pnp-chief-0845">PNP OKs Torre&#x27;s retirement, paving way for Nartatez promotion as PNP chief</a></div><p>“Wala akong in-apply-an. Wala akong rinequest na optional retirement,” Torre said in a DZMM interview.</p><p>He added that optional retirement is requested. “Hindi pwedeng unilaterally ire-retire ka,” he said.</p><p>“May lumabas na order pero di ko alam kung authentic. Hindi binigay sa akin,” he said, adding that he has not opened his email.</p><p>“We will thresh it out in the next couple of days and weeks.”</p><p>In a separate interview, Torre said he will discuss the matter with the Napolcom and President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr.</p><p>“I&#x27;m going to clear it up with my organization. Wala kasi akong pinipirmahang application eh so let&#x27;s leave it at that muna kasi mag-uusap kami ng aming mga boss, titignan namin anong mangyayari,&quot; Torre said.</p><p>Torre also did not directly answer when asked whether he plans to retire from the PNP.</p><p>&quot;Presidential appointee ako eh, so let&#x27;s just wait for the order of the President. May guidance naman &#x27;yung Presidente diyan,&quot; he said.</p><p>Torre also addressed questions on whether he can serve as an MMDA general manager without being retired from the PNP. </p><p>&quot;Hindi naman first time &#x27;yan na ang isang pulis ay nagtrabaho sa ibang agencies eh. Marami. Until now may mga active diyan na police officers na kababalik lang sa PNP. High ranking police officers na 10 years nag-stay dyan sa BI. And di rin &#x27;yan ang last sigurado,&quot; he said.</p><p>Torre added that such assignments are ultimately at the discretion of the President, who deploys officials based on the needs of the government.</p><div><br/></div><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/atn9JIxqPBg?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div><p>Torre, who made headlines for leading the arrest of former president  Rodrigo Duterte and the capture of suspected child abuser Apollo Quiboloy, was relieved from his post as PNP chief last August, barely 3 months since he took the helm of the police force.</p><p>Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla said Torre was removed from his post after he disregarded a Napolcom resolution that blocked his order to reassign some PNP officials, including his successor, PLt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr.</p><p>The PNP resolution made public Wednesday said Torre’s optional retirement from the PNP service took effect on December 26, 2025, after he assumed the post as general manager of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA).</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/12/26/former-pnp-chief-torre-takes-oath-as-mmda-general-manager-1258">Former PNP chief Torre takes oath as MMDA general manager</a></div><p>Torre will receive a longevity pay and retirement benefits equivalent to his present rank as approved by the Napolcom Resolution No. 2026-0029 dated January 19, 2026.</p><p>With Torre’s retirement from the PNP, Nartatez is expected to be formally appointed as the next PNP chief and elevated to the rank of four-star general.</p><p>“Scheduled for donning but no definite date pa this week,” PNP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Randulf Tuaño said in a text message.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEOS</strong></div><div><br/></div><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/mzFTHzqTEVA?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><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/XbLBzDYBLq4?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div>

<p>Ex-Philippine National Police chief Gen. Nicolas Torre III denied Thursday applying for optional retirement, saying he has questions about the alleged order that he sought early retirement.</p>

Ex-Philippine National Police chief Gen. Nicolas Torre III denied Thursday applying for optional retirement, saying he has questions about the alleged order that he sought early retirement.

Ex-PNP chief Torre denies applying for optional retirement

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Ex-PNP chief Torre denies applying for optional retirement

David Dizon,

Izzy Lee,

ABS-CBN News

Published January 22, 2026 07:58 AM PHT

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Updated January 22, 2026 10:36 AM PHT

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