Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Benjamin Acorda on Wednesday confirmed that Quezon City Police District (QCPD) Director Nicolas Torre III has resigned, but said this will be under review.
In an ambush interview with reporters in San Juan City, Acorda said he and Interior Secretary Benjamin 'Benhur' Abalos Jr. and QC Mayor Joy Belmonte would still discuss Torre's resignation.
According to Acorda, the QCPD Director had already explained to him his side prior to the resignation announcement to the media.
"May merit naman yung sinasabi niya. I respect his decision. Pag-usapan namin yung nabanggit nga na siya na voluntary aalis sa Quezon City Police District," he said.
The PNP Chief commended Torre for his voluntary resignation.
"I salute his gesture of some sort of delicadeza. Nakita naman natin na marami siyang nagawa sa Quezon City," he said.
Resignation ni QCPD Dir. PBGen. Nicolas Torre III pag-aaralan pa kung tatanggapin ayon kay CPNP Acorda. | RH 5 Val Gonzales @dzrh5 #SamaSamaTayoPilipino pic.twitter.com/WRpNBfvyZv
— DZRH NEWS (@dzrhnews) August 30, 2023
Interviewed during DZRH's Dos Por Dos, Torre announced his decision to resign from his position amidst an ongoing investigation into the viral road rage incident.
"Today, allow me to relieve myself of this position as the director of Quezon City para mabigyan ng pagkakataon ang partial investigation without any cloud na ako ay nag-impluwensya [sa imbestigasyon]," he said.
"Narealize ko na nandito yung sentro ng init sa akin ngayon sa nangyari, the way I handle the initial yun nga yung presscon, and all other subsequent exchanges of words and interviews," Torre added.
Last Sunday, August 27, the QCPD conducted a press conference wherein retired QCPD police officer Wilfredo 'Willy' Gonzalez had a chance to explain his side on the viral road rage incident.
Based on the video that went viral on social media, the ex-police slapped and brandished a gun at a cyclist who had bumped into his vehicle near Welcome Rotonda in Quezon City.
The said press conference drew flak from netizens, even from Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte.
