Former Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Nicolas Torre III broke his silence after his sudden removal from office, telling supporters that sympathy should be directed elsewhere.
“Thank you to those who pity me, but I ask of you: do not pity me. In spite of my abrupt removal as Chief of the Philippine National Police, I am okay,” Torre said in a video message posted on his official social media page.
He emphasized that the real concern should be the plight of ordinary Filipinos who continue to suffer during the rainy season. “If we must pity anyone, it should be the millions of our fellow citizens who repeatedly become victims to persistent flooding,” Torre stressed.
Torre was replaced last Tuesday by Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr., following President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s decision to relieve him of his duties after a dispute with the National Police Commission over key assignments of senior officers.
Despite his removal, Torre said he harbors no resentment toward the president. “I’ll repeat that I do not have ill feelings toward the president. I understand that he needs to make tough decisions and my removal as Chief of the Philippine National Police is only one of them,” he said.
Malacañang confirmed that Marcos has offered Torre another role in government, though Torre has yet to decide on the offer.
“I am still a police officer. I serve and I still continue to serve at the pleasure of the president and our country,” Torre added.
