Torre removal not because of refusing Remulla’s order - DILG

Metro Manila, Philippines - The removal of PGen Nicolas Torre III as Philippine National Police chief is not linked to his refusal to heed Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla’s order, the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) said.

After receiving an unsolicited proposal to purchase 80,000 firearms, Remulla asked Torre to look into its operational necessity. The secretary noted that the procurement is not listed in the National Expenditure Program, and it would be done through a congressional insertion.

Torre’s assessment: the purchase was unnecessary.

“The Secretary concurred with Gen. Torre's assessment. There was no directive to purchase,” the DILG said on Thursday, Aug. 28.

“There are allegations that the recent reorganization at the Philippine National Police was due to Gen. Nicolas Torre's refusal to carry out the supposed instructions of Secretary Jonvic Remulla to purchase firearms. This claim is false,” it said.

In a document released to the media on Tuesday, Malacañang relieved Torre. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. appointed PLtGen Jose Melencio Nartatez as Torre’s replacement.

The Palace said Torre has been offered a new position but further details were not disclosed.

NewsWatch Plus correspondent Daniza Fernandez contributed to this report.