By Brian Campued
Police Lt.Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. on Tuesday officially took over the Philippine National Police (PNP) leadership as its officer-in-charge following the removal of PGen. Nicolas Torre III from his post.
During the assumption of command held at Camp Crame in Quezon City, Nartatez took his oath before the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jonvic Remulla, who announced Nartatez’s appointment in a press conference.
“General Nartatez has served the PNP with distinction, much less with honor and with integrity. The President, while ruminating through the papers and through the qualifications, saw that General Nartatez was best qualified to be the next Chief PNP,” Remulla said.
Nartatez previously served as the PNP deputy chief for administration before switching posts with PLt.Gen. Bernard Banac as commander of Area Police Command Western Mindanao, upon Torre’s order.
However, the reassignment was reversed by the National Police Commission (Napolcom) through Resolution No. 2025-0532 dated Aug. 14.
During the press conference, Remulla said Napolcom’s resolution was “among other things” that President Ferdinand R. Marcos considered in his “difficult but necessary decision” to relieve Torre of his duties.
“Precisely because we are a country of laws and not of men, that the institutions must be larger than the people who run it. And in this case, the President saw it necessary that the institution of PNP and Napolcom be upheld as according to the spirit of the law as it was created,” he stressed.
The DILG chief also clarified that Torre did not violate any laws nor was charged with any criminal or administrative case.
“It is simply a choice of the president to take a new direction for the PNP,” he said.
Reforms, 5-min. response to continue under Nartatez leadership
In his speech following the assumption of command, Nartatez vowed to build on his predecessor’s works and improve the overall response and operational capabilities of the police force.
He also said that the PNP will continue Torre’s five-minute response policy to ensure timely intervention to emergencies and protection of the public.
Among the reforms Nartatez plans to implement under his tenure as OIC-Chief PNP are: innovation in patrolling and investigation to ensure swift apprehension and prosecution of offenders; expansion of focus to include cyber crimes; intensified campaign against illegal drugs, loose firearms, and terrorism; empowerment of officers and personnel; and strict integrity monitoring to remove rogues in service.
“In the next years, as I direct the course of the PNP, I am committed to ensuring that this institution stands greater than ever before—not only in terms of strength and efficiency, but also in the trust and respect of the people,” the new PNP top cop said.
In connection with this, Remulla disclosed that the President ordered him and Nartatez to present, within one month, a comprehensive citizen security strategy focused on increasing police presence throughout the country to ensure public safety.
Nevertheless, both Nartatez and Remulla thanked Torre for his service as Chief PNP.
What’s next for Torre?
The Interior secretary likewise noted that Torre has been informed of the latest developments and explained that the former PNP chief has the option of retiring from or staying in the police force.
Remulla added that Marcos still trusts the former PNP chief and that the President is also considering appointing Torre to a different government position, but did not provide further details on the matter.
“I actually don’t know for a fact what will be offered to him. But it has been brought about during our conversation that he (Marcos) is thinking of offering a position to the former chief PNP,” he said.
“He (Torre) is being considered for another position, because the President still believes in his capacity, in his organizational strength, in his vast experience in the service, so the President believes that he can be of use in other positions critical to the nation’s development.”
-jpv
