The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has denied claims that former Chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP) General Nicolas Torre III, was ousted from his position for allegedly turning down a proposed firearms purchase linked to DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla.

In a statement posted on their social media, the DILG addressed the allegations, stating that Remulla only directed Torre to assess the operational necessity, when the secretary received an “unsolicited proposal” to purchase 80,000 firearms for the PNP.

“He also reminded Gen. Torre that this kind of purchase can only be done through congressional insertion as this was not included in the National Expenditure Program (NEP),” the agency said, further emphasizing that Remulla’s assumption has never facilitated nor endorsed any congressional budget insertion related to the proposal, as it was not part of the NEP.

According to DILG, Torre informed Remulla during the PNP anniversary on August 12 that he did not find the proposed purchase of firearms necessary, to which Remulla agreed to Torre’s assessment. Thus, no directive to proceed with the procurement was ever issued.