MANILA — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has relieved Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Police General Nicolas Torre III of his duties, a move the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) described as a difficult but necessary decision.

“The Palace affirms that President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. has made the difficult but necessary decision to relieve PNP Chief PGen Nicolas Torre III of his duties. The President believes that his national security apparatus must always work within the framework of the law,” DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla said in a statement.

Remulla said the President was presented with the facts and determined that the best course of action was to uphold the role of the National Police Commission (Napolcom) as mandated by law.

“This was not an easy choice, but it was made in the national interest. 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,” he said.

The President expressed gratitude to Torre, noting that his brief tenure “brought new life and energy into the PNP.”

“To this end, the President has directed the incoming PNP Chief, together with the Secretary of the DILG, to present within one month a comprehensive citizen security strategy focused on increasing police presence throughout the country and ensuring that every Filipino feels secure in their communities,” Remulla added.