Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson on Tuesday, August 26, reacted to the relief of Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Gen. Nicolas Torre III, stressing that Torre acted beyond his authority.
Lacson, who served as PNP chief from 1999 to 2001, said Torre overstepped his powers when he unilaterally relieved his second-in-command, P/Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr., as Deputy Chief for Administration.
Lacson explained that the designation and relief of members of the PNP Command Group, including the Deputy for Administration, Deputy for Operations, and Chief of the Directorial Staff should be cleared with the President, or at the very least with the ex-officio chair of the National Police Commission (Napolcom) and the Interior and Local Government Secretary.
“Even when former President Joseph Estrada gave me the blanket authority to run and manage the PNP during my time as Chief, I did not exercise absolute authority over the designations of the members of the Command Group,” Lacson said.
He added that the relief of Torre is solely the prerogative of the President of the Philippines.
“What is important at this point is a smooth transition and transfer of command and authority so as not to hamper the overall mission of the PNP to continue maintaining peace and order for the benefit of the people whom they have sworn to ‘serve and protect,’” Lacson stressed.
