MANILA — The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Thursday denied claims that the relief of Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Nicolas Torre III was connected to his alleged refusal to purchase firearms.

In an official statement, the DILG said the claim that Secretary Jonvic Remulla instructed Torre to procure 80,000 firearms was false.

“When Secretary Remulla received an unsolicited proposal to purchase 80,000 firearms for the PNP, he asked Gen. Torre to assess its operational necessity. He also reminded Gen. Torre that this kind of purchase can only be done through congressional insertion as this was not included in the National Expenditure Program,” the agency said.

The DILG added that during the PNP anniversary on August 12, Torre told Remulla he did not think the purchase was necessary, and the secretary concurred with his assessment. “There was no directive to purchase,” the statement stressed.

The department also reaffirmed its commitment to transparency, accountability, and public safety.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. earlier relieved Torre from his post, a move described by Malacañang as a “difficult but necessary decision.” Torre has since been replaced by Lt. Gen. Emmanuel Peralta Nartatez Jr., who assumed leadership of the police force.