PNP chief Torre relieved from post —Bersamin

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Police General Nicolas Torre III was relieved from his post. 

Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin confirmed this to GMA Integrated News on Tuesday. 

The order was made effective immediately, according to a Palace memo.

BREAKING: Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin relieved Police General Nicolas Torre III as PNP Chief, effective immediately as of August 26, 2025. | via Ivan Mayrina/GMA Integrated News pic.twitter.com/9VyigwIj0c

— GMA Integrated News (@gmanews) August 26, 2025

No further details were provided. 

GMA News Online asked Torre and PNP for comment but they have yet to issue statements as of posting time.

Meanwhile, Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla confirmed on Tuesday morning that Police Lieutenant General Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. has been appointed to take over the PNP chief post.

Just two months and three weeks ago on June 2, Torre took over as the 31st PNP chief.

He became the first alumnus of the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA) to lead the police organization.

Torre would have had around one year and seven months left to serve as the PNP chief before reaching the retirement age on March 11, 2027.

He was the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) chief who led the arrest of former president Rodrigo Duterte and his transport to the International Criminal Court in The Hague, Netherlands on March 11 to face charges of crimes against humanity case in connection with his administration’s war on drugs.

WATCH: CIDG chief reads Miranda rights to Duterte

Torre was the CIDG chief from September 25, 2024 until his installation as PNP chief. 

As Police Regional Office 11 (PRO 11) chief, Torre led the capture of Kingdom of Jesus Christ founder Apollo Quiboloy on September 8, 2024 in Davao City over charges of human trafficking and sexual exploitation of minors.

He led the PRO 11 from June 18, 2024 to September 24, 2024. 

Appointment issue

The relief of Torre came after the National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) issued a resolution reversing and modifying the appointments made by Torre.

Issued on August 14, NAPOLCOM’s Resolution 2025-0531 had directed the return of Police Lieutenant General Jose Melencio Nartatez as Deputy Chief for Administration and Police Lieutenant General Bernard Banac as commander of the Area Police Command (APC) Western Mindanao.

They switched positions earlier this month.

The NAPOLCOM also ordered the PNP to immediately issue corresponding orders with regard to the movement of 11 more officials.

Torre thereafter said the PNP and NAPOLCOM have resolved the issue over the recent reshuffling of police officials. He however refused to provide specifics on how the agreement was reached. —KG, GMA Integrated News