Manila woke up to a political jolt this week as President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. abruptly dismissed General Nicolas Torre, the chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP), in a move that has left the nation’s political and law enforcement circles abuzz with speculation and debate. The announcement, delivered via a letter from Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin on August 26, 2025, was as sudden as it was unexplained. Torre, who had only been appointed to lead the 232,000-strong police force in June, was ordered to immediately turn over all matters and documents related to his office. By the end of the day, his successor, General Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr., had already assumed command.
The sacking of Torre, a figure who had recently become a household name, has raised more questions than answers. According to ABC News and Arab News, Bersamin’s letter offered no rationale for the decision, simply stating that Torre was to ensure the smooth transition of duties. Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla addressed the press but was equally reticent about the specifics. "He did not violate any laws, he has not been charged criminally or administratively, it is simply a choice of the president to take a new direction for the national police," Remulla said, as reported by Tempo.co. He added, "Only the president can specifically answer why Torre was removed."
For many, the timing and circumstances of Torre’s removal are perplexing. Just days before his dismissal, Torre had unveiled a new anti-crime battle room to President Marcos, showcasing a system designed to respond to incidents within five minutes—a bold step in the ongoing fight against crime. Yet, despite this display of initiative, the president opted for a change at the top, leaving observers and the public alike to wonder what prompted such a swift reversal of fortune for the police chief.
Torre’s tenure, though brief, was marked by some of the most high-profile law enforcement actions in recent Philippine history. He first captured widespread attention in March 2025 when he led the dramatic arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte at Manila’s international airport. Duterte, who had long denied ordering the extrajudicial killings that marred his controversial anti-drug campaign, was ultimately handed over to the International Criminal Court (ICC) in the Netherlands. The operation was chaotic, drawing both domestic and international scrutiny, but Torre’s role was clear: he was the man at the center of it all.
Before that, in 2024, Torre—then the regional police chief in Davao—oversaw the arrest of televangelist Apollo Carreon Quiboloy, a powerful religious leader and staunch Duterte ally. Quiboloy, who is on the FBI’s most-wanted list for alleged child sex trafficking, was apprehended after a tense standoff between thousands of police officers and his followers at his sprawling religious compound. Quiboloy and his legal team have denied the charges, but Torre’s leadership during the operation was widely noted for its firmness and professionalism, according to reports from GTV News and Interaksyon.
Torre’s rise through the ranks was meteoric, and his willingness to take on politically sensitive cases earned him both praise and criticism. President Marcos himself had previously lauded Torre as a “champion” during his fourth State of the Nation Address, a reference to Torre’s turning a public challenge from Acting Davao City Mayor Baste Duterte into a charity boxing match for flood victims. Torre also became known for his direct engagement with the public, even firing back at critics who questioned his shooting skills on social media.
But behind the scenes, Torre’s assertive management style appears to have ruffled feathers within the police hierarchy and among government officials. According to Tempo.co and Interaksyon, Torre had dismissed more than a dozen senior officers—including Nartatez, who would ultimately succeed him—sparking internal conflict. The National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) intervened, ordering the reinstatement of these officials on August 14, 2025. Yet, Torre reportedly did not implement this order immediately and went so far as to present Lt. Gen. Bernard Banac as deputy chief for administration, despite NAPOLCOM’s nullification of the appointment. This defiance may have been a tipping point.
Former PNP chief and Senator Ping Lacson weighed in on the controversy, suggesting that Torre may have "gone beyond his authority" by making unilateral personnel changes without proper clearance from the president or NAPOLCOM. "Even when ex-president Estrada gave me the blanket authority to run and manage the PNP during my time as CPNP, I did not exercise absolute authority over the designations of the members of the Command Group," Lacson explained, highlighting the delicate balance of power within the police leadership.
The reaction to Torre’s removal was swift and passionate. Lawmakers, public figures, and ordinary citizens took to social media to express their surprise and, in some cases, outrage. Representative Leila de Lima questioned the logic behind removing a "very popular, much appreciated and high-performing PNP chief." Forensic pathologist Raquel Fortun echoed the sentiment, lamenting the loss of a leader who had begun to restore public faith in the police. Former lawmaker Barry Gutierrez remarked that Torre’s professionalism during the Quiboloy and Duterte arrests would likely lead many to see his removal as the administration "folding yet again."
Meanwhile, some critics pointed to ongoing issues within the government, with Representative Percy Cendaña quipping that those involved in flood control scandals should have been dismissed instead. The sense of confusion was palpable, with many wondering if Torre would be reassigned to another government role or if this marked the end of his public service career.
Despite the controversy, Interior Secretary Remulla maintained that the decision was not punitive. "He did not violate any laws, he has not been charged with any violations, he has not been charged criminally nor administratively," Remulla reiterated at a press conference, as cited by Interaksyon. The official line remains that the president simply wanted a new direction for the PNP.
For now, General Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. takes the helm of the national police at a time of uncertainty and heightened public scrutiny. As for Torre, his fate remains up in the air, but his legacy—marked by high-profile arrests, decisive action, and a flair for the dramatic—will not soon be forgotten in Philippine law enforcement circles.
The abrupt end to Torre’s time as police chief has left a void, both in leadership and in public confidence. Whether this signals a true change in direction for the PNP or simply another chapter in the country’s turbulent political saga remains to be seen.
