The Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office vowed to continue with its mandate and full their duties and service to the people amidst the controversy surrounding the relief of Philippine National Police Chief, General Nicolas Torre last Monday.
NOCPPO spokesperson, Capt. Judysses Catalogo assured that its business as usual and they will just wait for the new guidelines from Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez that replaced Torre.
There may be a change in the leadership of the PNP, but this will not affect the mandate of the police, Catalogo said, adding that they will continue to enforce the 5-minute response time implemented by Torre until new directives will be issued.
He added that the fast response program has actually resulted to the apprehension of a thief in Bago city and the suspect involved in a shooting incident in the town of Ilog.
Torre’s popularity stemmed from his role in apprehending controversial religious leader, Apollo Quiboloy and was also very instrumental in making sure that former President Rodrigo Duterte was brought before the International Criminal Court in The Hague, Netherlands.
Torre’s removal is perceived as a reprisal for what Senator Panfilo Lacson said was acting beyond his authority when he unilaterally relieved his second-in-command, Nartatez, who was immediately appointed by the Palace to replace him.
Lacson who once served as the country’s top cop said that when Torre reshuffled key members of the PNP without getting a clearance from the President or the Secretary of the Interior Local Government and or the chair of the National Police Commission, he (Torrre) acted beyond his authority.
Lacson hopes that there will be a smooth transition and transfer of command so that the delivery of service by the PNP, particularly in maintaining peace and order will not be hampered.