MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Tuesday confirmed that Gen. Nicolas Torre III was removed as Philippine National Police (PNP) chief for refusing to comply with a National Police Commission (Napolcom) directive reversing the reassignment of two senior officials.

“He did not agree with the directives that were coming out of Napolcom,” Marcos said when asked about Torre’s dismissal. He added that while he had spoken with Torre several times about the order, the latter maintained his refusal.

The President stressed the importance of the chain of command and Napolcom’s authority over the police. “Because the police [force] is technically a civilian organization, and Napolcom is the civilian authority that has the authority to monitor and oversee it,” he said. “It has powers — very specific powers in terms of the appointments, and that’s why they disagreed.”

Napolcom, through Resolution 2025-0531 dated Aug. 14, directed Torre to reinstate Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez as deputy chief for administration and Lt. Gen. Bernard Banac as Area Police Command-Western Mindanao commander. The two officers had switched posts on Aug. 6 upon Torre’s orders.

On Aug. 25, Torre was instructed to relinquish his post and ensure proper turnover, with Nartatez formally replacing him as PNP chief.

PNP public information chief Brig. Gen. Randulf Tuaño said Torre, who is currently on leave from Aug. 28 to Sept. 29, will be reassigned to the Personnel Holding and Accounting Unit under the Directorate for Personnel and Records Management upon his return. (PNA)