00:00It was stunning as it was sudden.
00:02Jaws dropped, eyes rolled, and heads shook in disbelief
00:05upon hearing the news this morning of the celebrated and handpicked PNP chief's removal from his post
00:10over protocol or procedural non-compliance.
00:14Orion Lesigas has more on the meteoric rise and precipitous fall of former PNP chief
00:19Nikola Stori III and his successor, who he wrongfully demoted earlier this month.
00:24PNP chief police general Nikola Stori III was removed from his post.
00:44This was the breaking news this morning.
00:46This was confirmed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, who signed the order yesterday, August 25.
00:51The removal of Tore took effect immediately, who only lasted more than two months in the position.
00:56However, a proper turnover of documents and crucial information to the office
01:01at the highest official of the PNP was insured.
01:04The former number two in command, Comtore transferred as area police commander
01:07in western Mindanao.
01:09Police Lieutenant General Jose Melencio Naltates Jr. was appointed OIC chief PNP.
01:14Okay, the Philippine National Police is a dynamic organization.
01:19We are covered by orders.
01:22We are covered by policies.
01:23As a fine Filipino public servant na minsan ay isang sundalo,
01:30susunod lang tayo kung ano ang ibibigay na utos.
01:33Especially, this is a general order.
01:36Hours after the removal of Tore was confirmed,
01:39DILG Secretary Junvic Rimulia led the Assumption of Command Ceremony for Naltates.
01:44According to Rimulia, no law was violated.
01:46Tore also has no criminal case or administrative case.
01:50Rimulia said it was a difficult decision for President Ferdinand R. Marcus Jr.
01:55to remove Tore as PNP chief.
01:56But it was necessary.
01:58The president wants to ensure that the national security apparatus of the government
02:02is heading in only one direction.
02:04In connection with this, the relationship between NAPOCOM and the PNP must be good.
02:08And the law must be followed.
02:10He also clarified that politics had nothing to do with Tore's removal.
02:13That is precisely why we are doing this.
02:17Because we want to take politics out of the equation.
02:21When you have issues arising, you must resolve it according to the rules of the institution.
02:28And that's what we are doing.
02:30This is not a popularity contest.
02:32This is a question of maintaining the integrity of the institution.
02:37Rimulia also clarified that he had no rift with the former PNP chief.
02:42Remember, I only entered the SILG last October.
02:46And that's the first time I met him.
02:48And from then till now, our relationship has...
02:51I would care to say that it is stellar.
02:55Meanwhile, Rimulia said the president is considering giving Tore another position in government.
03:00Because the president still believes in his capacity, in his organizational strength, in his vast experience in the service.
03:10So the president believes that he can be of use in other positions critical to the nation's development.
03:16In his message, Nartates Jr. said he will continue the reforms within the PNP.
03:21This includes the implementation of a five-minute response time for all distress calls.
03:25Nartates, who hails from Santa Ilocos Sur, is a member of the Philippine Military Academy Tang Laudiva Class of 1992.
03:33Before being appointed to the highest position in the PNP, he served as police area commander in western Mindanao.
03:40Nartates also served as deputy chief for administration of the PNP, former director of the National Capital Region Police Office,
03:47directorate for intelligence, and directorate for controllership.
03:50He also headed Police Regional Office 4A and became director of the finance service at the PNP National Headquarters.
03:58In his long career in public service, he also started as senior superintendent in the Ilocos Norte Provincial Police Office.
04:05As of June 2025, Nartates has one year and nine months left before his mandatory retirement in March 2027.
04:13Tore was a no-show at the Assumption of Command ceremony earlier.
04:16As of now, Tore has the option to file for early retirement.
04:20If not, he will retain his four-star rank while under the office of the chief PNP or personal holding and accounting unit.
04:28Ryan Lisigas
04:30From the National TV Network for a new and better Philippines, Cam Crame.
