P/Gen. Nicolas Torre III acted “beyond his authority” of unilaterally relieving his second-in-command, P/Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr.
Normally, the designation (and relief) of the members of the PNP Command Group – Deputy for Administration, Deputy for Operations, and Chief, Directorial Staff should be cleared with the President or at least the ex-officio Chairman of the National Police Commission (Napolcom), and the Secretary of Interior and Local Government.
Even when former President Joseph Estrada gave me the blanket authority to run and manage the PNP during my time as Chief, PNP, I did not exercise absolute authority over the designations of the members of the Command Group.
Having said that, the relief of P/Gen. Torre is the sole 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”.
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