President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has relieved Gen. Nicolas Torre III of his post as Philippine National Police (PNP) chief—a sign of growing conflict within his administration, according to some lawmakers. 

The move was “by order of the President” and “effective immediately,” Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin told Torre in a letter dated Aug. 25. “For the continuous and efficient delivery of public services in the PNP, you are hereby directed to ensure proper turnover of all matters, documents and information relative to your office,” Bersamin wrote. 

No explanation was given for the relief of Torre, who led the 228,000-strong police force for barely three months. The Makabayan bloc at the House of Representatives said his relief is “unmistakable evidence of escalating internal conflicts and systemic breakdown within the Marcos administration.”

Bersamin did not immediately respond to CoverStory’s request for comment. Marcos, who led the opening of the Manila Tech Summit 2025 at Bonifacio Global City in Taguig City on Tuesday morning, did not take questions from reporters. 

Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla said in a press conference that Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr., the PNP’s deputy chief for administration, will replace Torre.

Earlier this month, Torre reassigned Nartatez, who was holding the No. 2 post in the PNP, as area police commander of Western Mindanao. Nartatez was to switch positions with Lt. Gen. Bernard Banac.

But Torre’s order was reversed by the National Police Commission through a resolution dated Aug. 14. Napolcom also reversed Torre’s reassignment of 11 other police officials. 

Torre, who is due for retirement on March 11, 2026, has yet to issue a statement as of this writing.

Nartatez previously served as chief of the National Capital Region Police Office and as police director in Ilocos Norte, the President’s home province. He is due for retirement on March 19, 2027.

Posting on X, Mamamayang Liberal Rep. Leila de Lima said: “What’s happening?! They better have a good reason in doing that to a very popular, much appreciated and high-performing PNP Chief!”

Akbayan Rep. Percival Cendaña also said on X that it is those involved in the controversial flood control projects who should be axed.

 ‘Difficult but necessary’ 

In a press conference at Camp Crame, Remulla said Torre’s reassignment order was a factor in his relief.

“That, among other things, is part of the consideration of the President,” Remulla told reporters. He said Torre’s removal was a “difficult but necessary” move and was made “in the national interest.”

“The President believes that the national security apparatus must always work within the framework of the law,” Remulla said, adding: 

“With the recent developments, the President must be presented with the facts, and he determined that the best course of action is to uphold the role of Napolcom as intended by law.”

Remulla heads Napolcom as interior secretary.

Earlier, however, Torre said certain “conflicts” that were “administrative in nature” had been resolved through “dialogue.” 

“[On the] part of PNP, as far as we are concerned, the book is closed, the case is closed, and we would like to move on to other issues,” he said at the flag-raising ceremony in Camp Crame on Aug. 18.

‘Another position’  

Remulla said he has always had a “great relationship” with Torre. “Our relationship, I would care to say, is stellar. We have never had disagreements,” he said. 

He clarified that Torre “did not violate any laws, has not been charged with any violations, has not been charged criminally or administratively.”

Remulla also said Torre is “being considered for another position because the President still believes in his capacity, in his organization strength, in his vast experience in the service.”

“The President believes he can be of use in other positions critical to the nation’s development,” Remulla added.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, Sen. Panfilo Lacson, who served as PNP chief from 1999 to 2001, said Torre “acted beyond his authority” when he relieved and reassigned Nartatez to Mindanao. 

“Even when [then] President Joseph Estrada gave me the blanket authority to run and manage the PNP during my time as chief PNP, I did not exercise absolute authority over the designations of the members of the Command Group,” Lacson said.

Sen. Imee Marcos, the President’s elder sister, told reporters at the Senate that she had earlier warned Torre about karma after he “demoted” Nartatez and other Ilocano generals. 

Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, also said on Tuesday that Torre’s relief only showed that “there’s no forever.” Speaking in Filipino, Dela Rosa said: “I am angry at him for what he did to Pastor Quiboloy and President Duterte, but now I feel pity for him. Because after everything he did, he was given a position, but then he was removed from it.”

Last March 11, Torre led the PNP and the Interpol in enforcing the International Criminal Court’s arrest order on former President Rodrigo Duterte, who is now being held in The Hague on charges of crimes against humanity in connection with his “war on drugs.”  

Torre also led the successful search for and arrest last year of televangelist Apollo Quiboloy, Duterte’s spiritual adviser, who is now detained at the Pasig City jail on charges of rape and qualified human trafficking.