Palace: Torre willing to transfer four-star rank to Nartatez

Malacañang said Thursday that former Philippine National Police chief Police General Nicolas Torre III is ready and willing to transfer his four-star rank to acting PNP chief Police Lieutenant General Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. 

At a press briefing, Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro was asked for clarification on the statement made by Torre that he had not retired from the police service following his assumption as Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) general manager.

Castro said there seemed to be a misunderstanding, but Torre already understands this and he is willing to transfer the four-star rank to Nartatez.

''Opo, nakausap po mismo natin si General Torre, at malamang po ay nagkaroon lang nang kaunting misunderstanding. Pero muli, the President appointed General Torre as the general manager of MMDA,'' Castro said.

(We personally talked to General Torre and we learned that there seemed to be a misunderstanding. But still, the President appointed General Torre as the general manager of the MMDA.)

''He took his office. He is now actively performing his job as the general manager of MMDA. And for his optional retirement, he will receive full benefits and emoluments as a four-star general,'' she added.

She noted that Torre accepted the consequence of accepting his new designation at the MMDA.

''Accepted po niya iyon. Dahil po tinanggap niya po ang posisyon na ito, alam naman niya po kung ano po ang maaaring mangyari. At muli, ang mangyayari lamang po, siya po ay tatanggap ng benepisyo, full benefits and lahat ng emoluments as a four-star general,'' she said.

(He accepted that. As he accepted the position, he knows what can happen. What will happen is that he will receive full benefits and all emoluments as a four-star general.)

Earlier in the day, Torre denied that he signed a document for his optional retirement but said that he is just waiting for an order from President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. as regards his retirement. 

GMA News Online reached out to Torre for his comment on the Castro's statement and we will publish it once available.

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. —AOL, GMA Integrated News