Former Philippine National Police (PNP) chief and now Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) General Manager Nicolas Torre III will relinquish his four-star general rank to PNP acting chief General Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr.

Palace press briefer Undersecretary Claire Castro said the issue stemmed from a misunderstanding that has since been resolved following her discussion with Torre.

“Nakausap po mismo natin si General Torre, at nagkaroon lang nang kaunting misunderstanding. Pero muli, the President appointed General Torre as the general manager of MMDA. He took his office. He is now actively performing his job as the general manager of MMDA. And for his optional retirement, he will receive full benefits and emoluments as a four-star general,” Castro said.

Earlier, Torre said he did not file or sign a request for optional retirement from police service, noting that he intended to clear the matter with the PNP.

“Accepted po niya iyon. Dahil po tinanggap niya po ang posisyon na ito, alam naman niya po kung ano po ang maaaring mangyari. At muli, ang mangyayari lamang po, siya po ay tatanggap ng benepisyo, full benefits and lahat ng emoluments as a four-star general,” Castro said during a Palace briefing on Thursday.

On 21 January, the National Police Commission issued an order approving Torre’s optional retirement and granting him retirement benefits corresponding to his rank as a four-star general.

Under Republic Act 6975, voluntary retirement is granted “at his own request and with the approval of the Commission,” requiring a police officer to apply for it.

Torre is 55 years old. The mandatory retirement age for police officers is 56.

Castro also welcomed calls to revisit the PNP law to prevent similar confusion in the future.

“Maaari po kung ganito po ang nangyayari at nagkakaroon po ng misconception sa mga provisions ng batas, maganda po ma-revisit at malaman kung ano ang dapat na mabago,” she said.