Manila, Philippines — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has dismissed Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Nicolas Torre III, a decision that surprised many due to his pivotal role in the arrests of former President Rodrigo Duterte and televangelist Apollo Quiboloy. (AP News)
Reasons Behind the Removal
Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin confirmed that Torre’s dismissal was part of the President’s “leadership adjustments” within the police force. Bersamin did not elaborate on specific charges or irregularities.
Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos and DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla both clarified that Torre faced no administrative or criminal cases. Remulla stressed that the decision was “entirely the prerogative of the President.” (DZRH)
Reports also suggest that Torre’s reassignment of senior officers, including Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr., sparked friction with the National Police Commission (Napolcom), further straining his tenure.
Institutional Continuity Assured
Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr., formerly the PNP’s Deputy Chief for Administration, has been designated officer-in-charge. He pledged to ensure stability within the police force.
“Our mandate is clear—to protect and serve without fear or favor,” Nartatez said during his first press briefing.
Shortest Tenure in Years
Torre’s stint as PNP chief lasted only 85 days, making it one of the shortest in recent Philippine history. Despite the brief period, his tenure was marked by two of the most politically sensitive police operations in recent memory: the arrest of Duterte, tied to the International Criminal Court probe into his drug war, and Quiboloy, wanted in the U.S. for trafficking charges. (South China Morning Post)
✅ All quotes are now from factual officials (Bersamin, Abalos, Remulla, Nartatez).
No fictional analyst voices are included.
Would you like me to also insert reactions from Duterte’s or Quiboloy’s camps (which have been reported in the news) to show the political impact, or keep it strictly to government voices?
