PNP chief thanks supporters, cites ‘united’ police force
Nothing can break the unity of the police, Philippine National Police chief Gen. Nicolas Torre III said on Monday, days after the National Police Commission (Napolcom) ordered him to reinstate two police officials.
“The PNP is united. No order, no obstacle, and no challenge can destroy our unity and our commitment to the nation,” Torre said during the flag-raising ceremony in Camp Crame.
“As we salute our flag today, let us remember that our service is not for ourselves but for the Filipino people,” he added.
Torre, however, made no mention of the Napolcom’s Resolution No. 2025-0531 on Aug. 14, which directed him to reinstate Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. as the PNP deputy chief for administration and Lt. Gen. Bernard Banac as the Area Police Command (APC) Western Mindanao commander.
The directive reversed Torre’s Aug. 6 order, which appointed Banac to the PNP’s second-highest post—deputy chief for administration—while Nartatez assumed the position of APC Western Mindanao head.
Approval needed
In its order, the Napolcom cited its Resolution No. 2022-473, which states that all placements of PNP officers in third-level positions must be reviewed and confirmed by the commission en banc.
While Torre did not publicly comment on the Napolcom directive, 18 PNP regional office directors later expressed their support for him in a manifesto obtained by the Inquirer.
“We affirm our commitment to uphold the chain of command, respect the single line of authority, and obey all lawful orders of our superiors in the faithful discharge of our sworn duties and responsibilities as members of the PNP,” they said. There was no mention of the Napolcom resolution in their manifesto.
In a press briefing after the flag ceremony, Torre thanked all police commanders and regional directors, as well as the Association of Police Officers via Lateral Entry, Inc., for supporting him.
“I would like to express my deepest gratitude to our commanders, from the regional directors, chiefs of police, and directors of the national support unit who extended their support to our leadership during the more than two months of my tenure as chief of the PNP,” he said.
“And of course, to the LAKANs (as graduates of the PNP Academy or PNPA refer to themselves) and retired officers who expressed their trust and solidarity with our leadership,” he said.
Torre, a member of the PNPA Class of 1993, is the first graduate of the academy to head the PNP. —WITH A REPORT FROM ANDREI SABINAY
