A controversy over an alleged overpriced firearms deal has intensified in the Philippines, with insiders claiming that national police chief Nicolas Torre III was removed from his post for rejecting a proposed procurement of 80,000 assault rifles – a transaction some believe was padded by billions of pesos.
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While officials framed Torre’s dismissal as an administrative matter, multiple sources told This Week in Asia he was sacked for rejecting the “overpriced” 8 billion Philippine peso (US$140 million) proposal involving “too many” rifles.
One source said police were “rarely issued long arms” and estimated that “[fewer] than 40,000” officers would need such weapons – far below the 80,000 requested.
The saga, which erupted late last month, now threatens to ensnare top government officials, lawmakers and even the presidential palace, while exposing the deepening rift between the Philippines’ executive and legislative branches.
Torre, who had gained public acclaim for his tough stance on crime and for ordering the arrest of former president Rodrigo Duterte, was dismissed on August 26 by President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr.
Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla said the decision stemmed from Torre’s refusal to follow a directive from the National Police Commission (Napolcom) reversing a reshuffle of eight senior officers.
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