The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Thursday night released a statement addressing the Philippine National Police’s (PNP) change of leadership.
The statement denied claims regarding what triggered the relief of Gen. Nicolas Torre III from his stint as PNP chief, which was allegedly because he did not sign the memo regarding the purchase of 80,000 high-powered rifles for the police force.
“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,” the DILG said.
It also clarified the claims regarding the said unsolicited proposal to procure 80,000 firearms received by Interior Secretary Juanito Victor “Jonvic” Remulla.
“When Secretary Remulla received an unsolicited proposal to purchase 80,000 firearms for the PNP, he asked Gen. Torre to assess its operational necessity. He also reminded Gen. Torre that this kind of purchase can only be done through congressional insertion, as this was not included in the National Expenditure Program,” the DILG said.
It likewise clarified that when the Interior Secretary assumed the post following the decision of then DILG chief Benjamin Abalos Jr. to step down, Remulla never facilitated nor endorsed the said purchase or budget insertions.
“Since his assumption as SILG, Secretary Remulla has never facilitated nor endorsed any congressional budget insertion,” the DILG said.
“During the PNP anniversary last August 12, Gen. Torre told Secretary Remulla that he did not think the purchase of said firearms was necessary. The Secretary concurred with Gen. Torre’s assessment… There was no directive to purchase,” it added.
