Nicolas Torre III, former Philippine National Police (PNP) chief and current Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) general manager, has stated that he neither signed nor filed a request for optional retirement from police service. He plans to discuss the matter with his superiors following a National Police Commission (Napolcom) order approving his retirement.
Confusion has arisen over the purported retirement of Gen. Nicolas Torre III from the Philippine National Police (PNP) after he claimed ignorance of the decision. On January 22, in an ambush interview, he stated, "Wala kasi akong pinipirmahang application," expressing puzzlement at the reports. The National Police Commission (Napolcom) issued an order on January 21 approving his optional retirement and granting benefits corresponding to his four-star general rank.
Under Republic Act 6975, optional retirement requires a formal request from the officer and commission approval. Regular retirement for police typically begins at age 56, while optional is available after at least 20 years of service. Torre was originally set to retire in 2027.
His role as MMDA general manager, assumed on December 26, 2025, was viewed by Napolcom as an automatic resignation from the PNP. However, Torre said he would await the president's order on his retirement. He added, "Titignan ko muna kung ano nangyari," as he planned discussions with superiors and Napolcom.
His retirement is expected to clear the path for current PNP chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez to be promoted to four-star general. Torre served as PNP chief for just three months in 2025, during which he oversaw high-profile arrests including those of Apollo Quiboloy and former president Rodrigo Duterte. He was relieved by President Bongbong Marcos due to a conflicting reassignment order and Napolcom directives.
For now, it remains unclear whether there was a miscommunication or if Torre was unaware of the order before its public release.
