DILG Refutes Claims That Torre’s Ouster Was Linked to Opposition to Police Armament

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has firmly dismissed widespread speculation that former Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief General Nicolas Torre III was removed from his post due to his refusal to approve the acquisition of 80,000 firearms for law enforcement.

In a clear and decisive statement, the DILG labeled the rumor as false and baseless. The department emphasized that Secretary Jonvic Remulla had never endorsed or facilitated such a directive. In fact, Remulla had instructed Torre to thoroughly assess the proposed armament purchase, noting that it was not included in the National Expenditure Program and should proceed via congressional insertion if pursued.

Furthermore, the DILG clarified that Secretary Remulla had not supported any congressional budget insertion and had even agreed with Torre’s assessment that additional firearms were not necessary. This response comes amid swirling rumors tying Torre’s dismissal to his stance on the firearms proposal.

Adding to the controversy, speculation had also circulated that General Torre was being reassigned to either the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) or the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), though officials from both agencies have emphatically denied such reports. A rapid statement from the media dubbed this the latest “Marites” a colloquial term for gossip and confirmed that neither the NBI nor DPWH has the former general as a landing spot.

The swirling rumors and swift denials reflect the heightened sensitivity surrounding the PNP leadership shuffle. Former PNP Chief Torre’s removal is now confirmed as unrelated to any decision about gun procurement, as denied by the DILG, while any supposed reassignment to other agencies remains unsubstantiated.