MANILA, Philippines — Former Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Nicolas Torre III has officially retired his four-star police general rank, following the National Police Commission’s (Napolcom) order addressing his new position as general manager of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA).
Released to reporters on Wednesday, January 21, the Napolcom order dated January 19 formalized Torre’s “optional retirement” from the PNP, which took effect on Dec. 26, 2025. This was the same day he was sworn in as MMDA general manager before the Office of the Executive Secretary.
Under the order, Torre is granted retirement benefits at the level of his current rank as police general, approved through Napolcom Resolution No. 2026-0029 in compliance with Republic Acts 6975 and 8551, which govern the PNP and its reform and reorganization.
Section 40 of Republic Act 6975 defines “optional retirement” as a benefit granted to a police official who has completed at least 20 years of “satisfactory active service,” whether in an officer or non-officer capacity. This differs from compulsory retirement, which applies to PNP members upon reaching the age of 56.
Torre, who served as the 31st police chief for roughly three months, was originally scheduled to retire in 2027. However, when President Bongbong Marcos relieved him in late August 2025 over a reassignment order he made that conflicted with Napolcom rules, questions arose regarding his four-star general rank.
Traditionally, only the PNP chief holds the four-star rank. With Torre’s retirement initially set for 2027, the new PNP chief, Jose Nartatez, was left with the rank of lieutenant general.
But now that Torre has formally retired, Nartatez can officially be promoted to police general, assuming the four-star rank as the incumbent police chief.
Earlier, the Napolcom said that Torre’s acceptance of the MMDA general manager post is considered a resignation from the police force, which would result in the loss of his four-star rank.
Torre first gained national attention while leading the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) in the high-profile arrests of doomsday preacher and alleged sex offender Apollo Quiboloy, as well as former president Rodrigo Duterte who remains detained at the International Criminal Court over crimes against humanity charges.
He now serves the MMDA as general manager and spokesperson, promising to address traffic congestion, flooding, and solid waste issues in Metro Manila.
