The country woke this morning to a surprise announcement of the relief of Police General Nicolas Torre III as chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP) and his quick replacement by a subordinate he recently tried assigning away from Camp Crame.
In time for the early morning news, a letter signed by executive secretary Lucas Bersamin was made public, informing Torre of his removal from command. The terse letter did not provide an explanation and said Torres’ removal was forthwith.
Bersamin’s letter, dated yesterday, August 25, said the relief was by order of the president.
A memorandum ordering the Office of the Appointments secretary to obtain President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s signature to make the order official was also made public shortly after Bersamin’s letter.
The memo named P/Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. as Torres’ replacement.
Before noontime, interior and local government secretary Juanito Victor Remulla led the assumption of office ceremony for Nartatez. Unlike previous ceremonies, this morning’s event at Camp Crame omitted the word “Turnover” as Torres was conspicuously absent.
‘Popular’ police chief
Many observers thought Torre would enjoy being chief PNP until his retirement next year, having been chosen by Marcos over many higher-ranked generals. He was a two-star general when catapulted to four-star rank, the highest in the PNP.
He gained prominence when he led the protracted manhunt and arrest of alleged sexual offender Apollo Quiboloy just a year ago at the latter’s sprawling lair in Davao City.
He followed that high-profile event with the arrest of Rodrigo Duterte last March that earned him resentment from the former president’s supporters but is seen to have led to his appointment as chief PNP last June.
He also earned brownie points from many observers when he accepted a fisticuffs challenge from acting Davao City mayor Sebastian Duterte last month. The younger Duterte was a no-show.
Torre was also the first Philippine National Police Academy graduate to become chief of the entire police force.
Torre however appeared to have ran afoul against bigger fishes in the Marcos pond with his order to transfer his deputy for administration Nartatez to Mindanao, which the National Police Commission (Napolcom) disallowed. Torre did not appear to have followed the rescind order from Napolcom since it was issued two weeks ago.
Remulla said in a press briefing prior to the assumption ceremony this morning that it may be one of the reasons why Torre was unceremoniously removed. The Napolcom, along with the DILG, administers and exercises administrative control and operational supervision over the PNP.
Most senior
In Nartatez, Marcos Jr. appointed the most senior police officer to replace the chief PNP this time. Nartatez was a strong contender for the post before Torre vaulted over him and other more senior police generals.
A three-star general and No. 2 in the police hierarchy, Nartatez is a member of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Class of 1992. His assumption of command marks a return of PMA Cavaliers into the police’s top leadership.
He is also an Ilokano, like President Marcos. He hails from Santa, Ilocos Sur. Marcos Jr., like his late father, has populated his government with Ilocano appointees.
In the press briefing, Remulla clarified that the four-star rank belongs to the chief PNP, signifying that Torre would have to surrender it even if he has yet to retire. Remulla also said that Torre may be appointed to another post, a familiar Marcos Jr. move employed on high government officials who have been removed from office.
The interior secretary added that Marcos Jr. may provide explanations on this morning’s events in the future.
Internal conflicts
The Makabayan Coalition said the manner of Torres’ relief and his quick replacement is “unmistakable evidence of escalating internal conflicts and systemic breakdown within the Marcos administration.”
Torre’s open confrontation with Napolcom and Interior Secretary Remulla regarding unauthorized personnel changes exposes serious divisions within the administration’s law enforcement machinery, the coalition said in a statement.
“The changes and infighting within the PNP is proof of a deepening rift in the Marcos administration. Many groups seek power amid worsening corruption scandals in government, the lack of social services, and worsening poverty incidence,” ACT Teachers Party Antonio Tinio said.
“This recent development mirrors the typical behavior of reactionary and authoritarian governments where rival elite factions wage internal battles while ordinary citizens endure worsening public services, escalating costs of living, and persistent human rights abuses,” said Kabataan Party-list Rep. Atty. Renee Louise Co in turn. # (Raymund B.Villanueva)
