Torre shuns public pity: I am still a cop

Former Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Police General Nicolas Torre III on Friday told the public not to pity him despite his abrupt relief from the top post.

“Salamat din sa mga naawa sa akin. Ngunit hinihiling ko sa inyo, huwag niyo akong kaawaan. In spite of my abrupt removal as chief of the Philippine National Police, okay po ako,” Torre said in a video posted on his verified Facebook account Friday afternoon.

(Thank you also to those who took pity on me. But I ask you, please do not take pity on me. In spite of my abrupt removal as chief of the Philippine National Police, I am okay.)

Instead, Torre told the public to take pity on flood victims. 

“Kung meron na tayong dapat kaawaan, iyon ay ang milyon-milyon nating mga kababayan na paulit-ulit na nagiging biktima ng palagiyang pagbaha,” he said.

(If there is anyone we should pity, it is the millions of our countrymen who are victims of constant flooding.)

“Sila ang tunay na nangangailangan ng tulong at kalinga sa panahon ngayon. Sapagkat hindi naman sila ang dapat laging nagdudusa at naghihirap tuwing tag-ulan,” he added.

(They are the ones who truly need help and care at this time because they should not be the ones who always suffer and struggle during the rainy season.)

Torre also reiterated that he has no ill feelings with President “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. despite his removal from the PNP top post, saying that he still continues to serve at the pleasure of the President.

“Inuulit ko na wala akong sama ng loob sa ating Pangulo. Nauunawaan ko na kailangan niyang gumawa ng mga mabibigat na desisyon. At ang pagkaalis ko bilang chief of the Philippine National Police ay isa lamang sa mga ito,” he said.

(I repeat that I have no resentment towards our President. I understand that he has to make difficult decisions, and my relief as chief of the Philippine National Police is just one of them.)

“Police pa rin naman ako, and I serve and still continue to serve at the pleasure of the President and of our country,” he added.

(I am still a police officer, and I serve and still continue to serve at the pleasure of the President and of our country.)

Police Lieutenant General Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. on Tuesday took over the PNP as acting chief after the sudden relief of Torre from the top post, which was announced the same day.

Just nearly three months ago on June 2, Torre took over the police organization.

Interior and Local Government Jonvic Remulla on Tuesday said one of the reasons Torre was relieved as PNP chief was his defiance to an order of the National Police Commission on the reassignment of key officials.

However, Remulla also said that Marcos is considering Torre for a government position. —VAL, GMA Integrated News