Torre denies reported retirement from PNP

Former Philippine National Police chief Police General Nicolas Torre III on Thursday denied that he has retired from the police service following his assumption as Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) general manager.

“I am going to clear it up with my organization. Wala kasi akong pinipirmahang application. So let’s leave it at that muna kasi mag-uusap muna kami ng aking mga boss. Tignan ko muna kung anong nangyari,” Torre said in an ambush interview at the Bayanihan sa Estero in Valenzuela City. 

(I am going to clear it up with my organization. I did not sign an application. So let’s leave it at that for the meantime because I will talk to my bosses first. I will check first what happened.)

Asked if he filed for retirement, Torre said, “No…I-discuss muna namin kasi lahat naman ay napapag-usapan. Baka hindi namin na-discuss nang thorough at lumabas na sa media.”

(No...We'll discuss it first because everything can be cleared in discussion. Maybe we didn't discuss it thoroughly and it ended up in the media.)

When asked if he is being asked to retire, Torre answered, “Privileged communication.” 

An order from the National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) dated January 19, 2026 showed that Torre’s optional retirement became effective on December 26, 2025.

Asked if he has plan to retire from the PNP, Torre is just waiting for an order from President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.

“My positions, since full colonel, are all presidential directives, presidential appointee ako so I just wait for the order of the President. May guidance naman ang President diyan,” Torre said.

(My positions, since full colonel, are all presidential directives, I am a presidential appointee so I just wait for the order of the President. The President has guidance for that.)

Torre said he has not heard any information about the supposed turnover ceremony in the PNP leadership this week or next week.

According to Torre, it was not the first time that a police officer was working in different agencies.

“Hindi naman first time ‘yan na ang isang pulis ay nagtrabaho sa ibang agencies. Marami. At 'yun lang, may mga active nga na police officers na kakabalik lang sa PNP. High ranking police officers na 10 years nag-stay sa BI, sa Bureau of Immigration,” he said.

(That's not the first time that a police officer has worked in other agencies. There have been many. There are active police officers who just returned to the PNP. High ranking police officers who stayed at the Bureau of Immigration for 10 years.) 

To recall, Torre was relieved from his post as PNP chief on August 25, 2025. He was replaced by Police Lieutenant General Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. as acting chief.

Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla earlier said that one of the reasons Torre was relieved as PNP chief was his defiance to an order of the National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) on the reassignment of key officials.

Despite his relief from the top PNP position, Torre is still holding the four-star rank. 

The ex-PNP chief took his oath in December 2025 as general manager of the MMDA.

Remulla earlier said that it would be a mandatory retirement for Torre ''if he chooses another job.''

National Police Commissions (NAPOLCOM) vice chairperson and executive officer Ralph Calinisan earlier said Torre "has ipso facto resigned from the police force.”

GMA Integrated News sought the comment of Calinisan on Torre's statement. He said, “No comment na muna po.” —AOL, GMA Integrated News