(Published in its print edition on August 30 – September 5, 2025)
BARELY 85 days since he took over as chief of the Philippine National Police, Police General Nicolas Torre III was unceremoniously removed from his post.
Far from being an inept but actually a super-active cop chief, Torre’s relief brought more questions rather than answers.
While he says he is good despite his relief, Torre’s loyalists are seething in anger and displeasure.
Yet, the beleaguered police general prodded supporters not to feel sorry when he visited ML party-list Rep. Leila De Lima and gave a birthday cake.
Still mulling on his future, Torre’s one-month leave might be a way to ease the pain of being unceremoniously booted out of a coveted post which most police officials envy to get.
The PNP officials have been in a quagmire earlier after Torre nixed the National Police Commission’s order reversing his decision to switch the positions of Police Lieutenant General Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. and Police Lieutenant General Bernard Banac.
Banac was then named as the PNP deputy chief for administration while Nartatez, Jr. was thrown to the Western Mindanao Area Police Command.
While it may be true, as former PNP Chief and Senator Panfilo Lacson earlier said, that Torre’s sudden removal may have been due to his actions that exceeded his authority, the order has been too much and too soon for a well-performing police general.
Easing a pain takes longer than what anyone can see externally. #
