De Lima questions President Marcos’ silence on Torre removal as Philippine National Police chief

Former PNP Chief Nicolas Torre III (left) with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. during last June’s change of command at Camp Crame, Quezon City. Malacañang has relieved Torre as chief of the Philippine National Police, according to a document signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin. The relief took effect “immediately,” per the papers dated Aug 25, 2025. - Photo: Inquirer

MANILA: Mamamayang Liberal Rep. Leila de Lima on Wednesday (Aug 27) questioned President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s silence on the sudden removal of Gen. Nicolas Torre III as the Philippine National Police (PNP) chief.

During a House committee on public order and safety briefing with the country’s law enforcement agencies, De Lima questioned why Torre, once the toast of the town for leading the high-profile arrests of former President Rodrigo Duterte and televangelist Apollo Quiboloy, was suddenly axed for supposedly exceeding his authority.