The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Thursday dismissed claims that the removal of Gen. Nicolas Torre III as Philippine National Police (PNP) chief was tied to a supposed firearms deal.
In a statement, the agency stressed that reports linking Torre’s exit to the planned acquisition of 80,000 firearms for the PNP are baseless.
“There are allegations that the recent reorganization at the Philippine National Police was due to Gen. Nicolas Torre’s refusal to carry out the supposed instructions of Secretary Jonvic Remulla to purchase firearms. This claim is false,” the DILG said.
According to the agency, Remulla did receive an unsolicited proposal for the firearm purchase but only tasked Torre to study its operational value. The Secretary also emphasized that such an expense was not part of the National Expenditure Program and would require congressional insertion.
The DILG clarified further that Remulla “has never facilitated nor endorsed any congressional budget insertion” and even sided with Torre’s evaluation that the acquisition was unnecessary.
“The Secretary concurred with Gen. Torre’s assessment. There was no directive to purchase,” it said.
The agency underscored its stance that the leadership shake-up in the PNP had nothing to do with the proposal and reiterated: “The DILG remains steadfast in its commitment to transparency, accountability, and ensuring the safety of our communities.”
