00:00Newly minted PNP Chief Jose Melencio Nartates has the absolute trust and confidence of DILG Chief John Vic Remulia
00:07and the National Police Commission, which is all set to endorse his full appointment as the nation's top cop,
00:13as Orion Lesigues reports.
00:17After former PNP Chief Police General Nicolás Torrey III was removed from his position,
00:22many speculations emerged regarding the real reason why he was dismissed as head of the National Police.
00:27Among them, the alleged refusal of Torrey to follow the directive of DILG Secretary John Vic Remulia
00:33to purchase 80,000 pieces of 5.56mm assault rifles.
00:38This, however, was immediately denied by the DILG.
00:42In the official statement of the Secretary, it was stated that he never issued such an order.
00:47Instead, when the Secretary allegedly received an unsolicited proposal to purchase such a large number of firearms,
00:54he ordered Torrey to first assess if these were truly needed for PNP operations.
00:59Such large-scale procurement, he said, could only be carried out through a congressional insertion,
01:05especially since it was not included in the national expenditure program of the government.
01:10On August 12, during the celebration of the PNP anniversary,
01:14Torrey allegedly told Remulia that he did not see the need to purchase such weapons,
01:19and the Secretary agreed.
01:21Meanwhile, the National Police Commissioner, NAPOCOM, will issue a resolution
01:24to formally affirm the appointment of Lieutenant General Jose Melencio Nartates Jr.
01:30as acting PNP chief.
01:31According to NAPOCOM Vice Chairperson and Executive Officer Attorney Rafael Vicente Calenisan,
01:37the move aims to grant Nartates full authority to lead the PNP,
01:41unlike the limited functions of an officer in charge.
01:44We will make sure that it is all on board, kailangan po legal,
01:50so we will issue the supporting NAPOCOM resolution to help General Nartates in the performance of his tasks.
01:58Para wala rin hong question, so we will issue the corresponding NAPOCOM resolution,
02:04affirming his acting capacity.
02:05The NAPOCOM has assured continuous good coordination with the PNP
02:09and full support for Nartates' leadership.
02:12Bakit siya importante? Kasi kung OIC, ano lang yun eh,
02:16daily, rutinary functions of the office.
02:19Walang discretionary power.
02:22Kung ikaw ay acting, you have full powers.
02:26So you have the, in your tools, yung discretion.
02:32You can exercise your discretion.
02:34And the Chief PNP, particular in this case, General Nartates,
02:39should have full control dun sa mga ganap dun sa Philippine National Police.
02:46For now, Nartates will remain at the three-star rank
02:49until Torre formally relinquishes his four-star post.
02:53Ryan Lisigues, from the National TV Network,
02:57for a new and better Philippines,
03:00Camp Crame.
