Senator Panfilo ‘Ping’ Lacson believed former Philippine National Police (PNP) Gen. Nicolas Torre III acted “beyond his authority” when he made a controversial reshuffle in his organization, which eventually led to his removal from office after just nearly three months.
In a statement released Tuesday, Lacson said Torre should have cleared his planned reassignments of ranking police officials and not make a unilateral move. The senator was referring to Torre’s recent order involving his second-in-command Police Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez, Jr.
“Normally, the designation (and relief) of the members of the PNP Command Group—Deputy for Administration, Deputy for Operations, and Chief, Directorial Staff should be cleared with the President or at least the ex-officio Chairman of the National Police Commission (Napolcom), and the Secretary of the Interior and Local Government,” Lacson said.
Nartatez was serving as the PNP Deputy Chief for Administration before Torre designated him as Area Police Commander for Western Mindanao, which was perceived as a demotion.
Prior to this issue, Nartatez was among the strong contenders for the top PNP post following the retirement of then chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil.
President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr., however, selected Torre to succeed Marbil last June after a string of high-profile operations he led, including the arrest of megachurch leader Apollo Quiboloy and former President Rodrigo Duterte.
On August 26, Malacañang through Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin confirmed that Torre has been relieved from his post. Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jonvic Remulla later said Nartatez will be replacing Torre as the new PNP chief.
Lacson, who served as PNP chief during the administration of former President Joseph Estrada, said exercising “absolute authority” over the designations of the members of the Command Group was unexpected.
“Having said that, the relief of P/Gen. Torre is the sole prerogative of the President of the Philippines,” the senator noted.
“What is important at this point is a smooth transition and transfer of command and authority, so as not to hamper the overall mission of the PNP to continue maintaining peace and order for the benefit of the people whom they have sworn to ‘serve and protect,’” Lacson added.
Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada echoed Lacson’s statement that Torre’s removal is within the discretion of President Marcos and the same applies to all presidential and political appointees.
“Whatever the reason behind the leadership changes in the police force, I trust that this decision was made with the best interests of the Filipino people in mind,” Estrada said.
