Former Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Nicolas Torre III said he is open to the possibility of retiring early as his two-month leave from service nears its end on October 31.
Torre, who will reach the mandatory retirement age of 57 in March 2027, was removed from his post on August 26—barely three months after assuming office—and replaced by Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr.
In a televised interview, Torre said he has yet to make firm plans about his future but confirmed that leaving the PNP before his retirement age remains on the table.
“We will think about it later. There’s still nothing on the horizon so far,” he said in Filipino.
“Those are one of the many options. Let’s observe first before we make the decision,” he added.
Torre’s removal came amid controversy over his reassignment of senior police officials, which Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla said went against an order of the National Police Commission (Napolcom). President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. later explained that Torre was dismissed because he “did not agree with the directives that were coming out of Napolcom.”
Reports also circulated that Torre had declined to approve an additional ₱8-billion budget for 80,000 assault rifles, arguing that such a large-scale acquisition was unnecessary for a civilian law enforcement agency.
However, a 2023 letter from Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin to then-Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos stated that personnel reassignments within the police organization fell under the authority of the PNP chief—suggesting that Torre’s actions were within his powers.
Despite earlier remarks from Malacañang that a Cabinet position was being prepared for him, Torre clarified that he has not received any formal offer.
“We will just decide when we actually get an offer,” he said.
Torre gained prominence for leading the PNP operations to arrest former president Rodrigo Duterte and televangelist Apollo Quiboloy.
