Malacañang’s decision to relieve Gen. Nicolas Torre III as chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP) drew backlash from the Filipino public as the news broke out on Tuesday.
Online users expressed disappointment with the removal of Torre, who was otherwise considered a popular figure in the administration of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.
“To think I was finally, finally starting to view PNP in a positive light, you removed Torre??!??” forensic pathologist Raquel Fortun posted on X in a mix of English and Filipino.
University of the Philippines (UP) law professor and former congressman Barry Gutierrez likewise said Torre was a popular PNP chief who displayed firmness and professionalism in the manhunt of Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) founder Apollo Quiboloy, arrest of former president Rodrigo Duterte, and the “challenge” from acting Davao City Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte.
“This will, unsurprisingly, be viewed as yet another case of the admin folding yet again,” Gutierrez posted, echoing the concerns of other social media users.
Meanwhile, other online users posted and commented on their speculation about how Torre could have been relieved from his post to be transferred to a different role in the Marcos administration.
Namely, they cited the leadership of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) or the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
“Looks like Gen. Torre is being offered a good position – Sec level — where he can directly fight corruption & hold trapos to account!!! Hope he takes it,” global affairs academic Richard Heydarian posted.
Sen. Panfilo “Ping” Lacson earlier today said he believed Torre acted “beyond his authority” when he made a controversial reshuffle in the PNP.
Meanwhile, Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Juanito Victor “Jonvic” Remulla said that Marcos is likely to offer Torre a new position.
Remulla also denied reports that he had a rift with Torre after the latter reportedly made a unilateral decision to reassign key PNP officials without securing clearance from the National Police Commission (Napolcom).
