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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Did Torre's refusal to sign 'insertion request' cause his removal? Solon wants to find out

Did Torre's refusal to sign 'insertion request' cause his removal? Solon wants to find out

Published Sep 4, 2025 12:37 pm  |  Updated Sep 4, 2025 01:27 pm

At A Glance

  • Was former Philippine National Police (PNP) chief General Nicolas Torre III's refusal to sign an alleged insertion request to procure P8 billion worth of firearms the real reason behind his removal from office?
Manila 6th district Rep. Bienvenido "Benny" Abante (PPAB)
Manila 6th district Rep. Bienvenido "Benny" Abante (PPAB)
Was former Philippine National Police (PNP) chief General Nicolas Torre III’s refusal to sign an alleged insertion request to procure P8 billion worth of firearms the real reason behind his removal from office?
That's what the House Committee on Public Order and Safety is set to find out as Manila 6th district Rep. Benny Abante asked the committee chairman, Manila 2nd district Rep. Rolando Valeriano, to probe into what he described as an "attempted insertion" in the proposed 2026 National Expenditure Program (NEP) for the procurement of firearms.
In his letter to Valeriano, Abante cited social media reports that there was a letter purportedly from the PNP addressed to Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jonvic Remulla, requesting for an P8-billion insertion for the procurement of 80,000 units of standardized caliber 5.56 mm basic rifles.
The letter was even "brought by a certain Mr. Adrian Sanares...Undersecretary for Peace and Order at the DILG—to then PNP Chief Nicolas Torre III for signature, but the latter refused to sign," Abante's letter dated Sept. 3 to his fellow Manila lawmaker stated.
"This refusal allegedly is one of the reasons for the removal of PNP Chief Torre. This matter must be thoroughly investigated," it added.
For Abante, such claims require scrutiny as it raises a number of questions about the propriety of the process and the accountability of the individuals involved.
“Why is a budget insertion request being facilitated by the son of an undersecretary of the agency that would approve such a request?” he asked in the letter.
He also sought clarification on whether Torre had violated any laws or rules that could justify his relief as PNP chief.
“What specific law or rule did PNP Chief Torre violate that led to his relief/removal?” Abante wrote.
Abante became interested in the scale of the proposed firearms acquisition as he noted that P8 billion for 80,000 units translated to P100,000 per unit.
“Also, the amount requested for the intended purchase of guns is quite staggering. PHP8 billion for 80,000 units is PHP100,000 per unit. What is now the status of this requested budget insertion?” Abante asked.
The veteran solon said it was essential that the questions raised be fully addressed in a formal inquiry to prevent public distrust in the budget process.
“These questions call for answers. The public has the right to know,” he added.
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