“Do I look bitter?” Relieved Torre goes on leave

National

“DO I look like somebody who is bitter? Do I look bitter? I have no ill feelings, I am a good soldier.”

This was how Gen. Nicolas Torre III addressed reporters on Wednesday, August 27, two days after being relieved as chief of the Philippine National Police, according to a Philstar report.

The four-star general, who still has two years before retirement in 2027, filed a leave of absence but appeared in good spirits when he visited the House of Representatives to greet Rep. Leila de Lima on her birthday.

Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla had earlier announced Torre’s removal, citing insubordination and actions carried out without clearance from higher officials.

Torre said nothing had been damaged in his relationship with Remulla and emphasized his support for President Marcos’ choice of Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. as his replacement. He declined to say whether he had spoken directly with the President, citing executive privilege, and brushed aside speculation about a new post, saying it would be premature to assume anything.

When asked about the possibility of leading the National Bureau of Investigation, he said he was not qualified because the position requires a lawyer.

At De Lima’s office, Torre brought a birthday cake and joked that he was now working as a food delivery rider. He explained that he wanted to reciprocate her visit when he was PNP chief, saying he had long known her birthday and simply wanted to wish her well.

Malacañang rejected claims that Torre’s relief pointed to divisions within the Marcos administration, after the Makabayan bloc and Davao City Mayor Sebastian Duterte suggested it reflected internal conflict.

“That is not happening and that is not what we are seeing,” Presidential Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said in the same report.(MyTVCebu)