BACOLOD CITY – The Police Regional Office-Negros Island Region (PRO-NIR) expressed support to the leadership of Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Nicolas Torre III amid a controversy with the National Police Commission (Napolcom) involving two ranking police generals.
TORRE (PNP FB)
In a solidarity statement posted on its social media page, they said they recognize the continuing reforms to improve operational effectiveness, institutional accountability, and community trust under Torre’s leadership.
“The men and women of PRO-NIR stand united in expressing our support and solidarity in the leadership of PNP chief Torre in exercising his power and authority under the law,” they said.
His dedication in strengthening the professionalism of the police force serves as a vital pillar in our mandate for peace and order, they added. “The PRO-NIR said that they will rise, united, committed, and proud to serve.”
The conflict between the PNP and the Napolcom stemmed from a recent reshuffle 14 senior PNP officers which was authorized by Torre.
Napolcom asserted its authority under Republic Act 6975, or the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Act, which grants it administrative control and operational supervision over the PNP. This includes the power to review, approve, reverse, or amend personnel-related decisions.
While RA 6975 also gives the PNP chief authority over personnel deployment, Napolcom emphasized that movements involving third-level officers—those holding the rank of colonel to general—require approval from the Napolcom en banc. The commission stated that this procedural requirement was not followed in the recent revamp.
Meanwhile, the PRO-NIR is considering seven areas, five in Negros Occidental and two in Negros Oriental, as possible location for its headquarters.
These are Barangay Tagucon, Kabankalan City; Barangay Jonob-Jonob, Escalante City; San Enrique, Murcia, and Silay City, all in Negros Occidental; and North Poblacion, Mabinay, and Barangay Calamba, Guihulngan City, both in Negros Oriental.
Police Col. Gilbert Gorero, chief of the Regional Community Relations Division (RCRS) recently presided over an emergency meeting, attended by Police Col. Rainerio de Chavez, Negros Occidental police director, to discuss a proposed lot for the regional office.
The primary objective was to reach a consensus on the utilization of allocated project funds, and focused on the conditions and legal procedures surrounding the donated lots, as well as the efficient and transparent use of funds for the project.