Media probes Nicolas Torre III’s removal from PNP chief office

CHEERS TO Rappler, Inquirer.net, and News5 for explaining the significance of Nicolas Torre III’s abrupt removal from the highest Philippine National Police (PNP) rank. 

Former PNP Chief General Nicolas Torre III was relieved from office by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr on August 26. His departure from office set his tenure among the shortest terms of office — with no more than eighty-five days in service. 

Torre’s second-in-command and then-Deputy Chief for Administration Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. was sworn into office as the acting-chief on August 26. Meanwhile, Torre was assigned to PNP’s Personnel Holding and Accounting Unit (PHAU) on August 27.

Marcos Jr. created an undisclosed job offer for Torre shortly after the sudden relief from office. This move raised more questions than answers, as the timing of the job offer so soon after the removal was seen by many as unusual and politically sensitive. The public viewed this development as controversial and expressed their concerns on social media. Citizens clamored for an explanation not only about the removal itself but also about the implications of the president’s quick job offer. 

News explains

On August 26, the same day of Torre’s removal from office, Rappler’s Jairo Bolledo recapped the news break on YouTube. He emphasized that the removal was actually not as abrupt as it appeared, as it may have had to do with Torre’s unresolved dispute with the National Police Commission (Napolcom) that was caused by Torre’s assignment of 13 third-level PNP officials without Napolcom’s review and approval. Napolcom then released an order for Torre to modify his assignment, which the latter did not obey.

Bolledo further explained the personal connection that public has with Torre’s relief from his position which reflects significant public concerns about security and peace and order, issues that are regarded as serious matters and closely monitored by citizens and civic institutions. 

A follow-up video explainer on August 28 by Bolledo examined why Torre was offered another assignment by Marcos. He noted Torre’s removal may have to ease an ongoing crisis within the PNP, particularly with his four-star rank in the PNP.

Timeline and history

Media also outlined the timeline of Torre’s short tenure as Chief General and noted how similar situations had occurred in the past.

Inquirer.net’s Jason Sigales released a comprehensive timeline that detailed the dates from swearing in office until the critical events leading to his removal. It looked back on the highlights of Torre’s time as a PNP chief  including his strictly implemented five-minute emergency response time to emergency and disaster calls.  Sigales also discussed the Torre’s issue within the Napolcom, and Torre’s refusal to coordinate with Napolcom’s order, noting this reference to clarify the circumstances surrounding the removal of the PNP chief. 

In terms of precedent, Ed Lingao’s News Explained discussed similar cases of the removal of PNP chief officers during the previous administrations. This helped the audience understand the broader context of Torre’s termination and how the issue fits into the history of disputes that impact on the leadership of PNP.

A nation’s concern of safety and security must be dealt with the gravity and seriousness it deserves. Yet what should have been treated with seriousness was reduced to rote recording of statements which failed to explain the situation that led to Torre’s change of assignment. 

Media must take care to check the background or developments leading to sudden changes in leadership, especially those in law enforcement and peace and order. Journalists must not limit reports to repeating statements that do not reveal the reasons or circumstances leading to these changes. 

Those involved in the issues of national security must realize the importance that the public gives to these issues as these affect national security as well as their sense of personal safety.