Napolcom Affirms Lt. Gen. Nartatez Jr. as Acting PNP Chief
The National Police Commission (Napolcom) has officially affirmed Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. as the acting Philippine National Police (PNP) chief. This confirmation grants him full legal authority to exercise all the powers and responsibilities of the PNP chief.
In a statement released Monday, officials reported that Napolcom issued Resolution 2025-0552, which clearly states that Nartatez is vested with the prerogatives of the PNP’s top position. The commission’s decision supports Nartatez despite his not yet holding the four-star police general rank, a rank reserved for only one officer at a time — currently held by former PNP chief Gen. Nicolas Torre III.
Legal Framework and Rank Limitations
According to Section 26 of Republic Act 6975, known as the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Act, only an officer with the rank of police general can be designated as the PNP chief. However, the commission’s resolution allows Nartatez to act in this capacity while awaiting formal promotion.
Community members noted that Nartatez assumed office on August 26, succeeding Torre after the latter defied a Napolcom order relating to the reassignment of 13 third-level PNP officials, including Nartatez himself.
Background on the Reassignment Dispute
On August 6, Torre ordered Nartatez’s reassignment from his role as Deputy Chief for Administration to Area Police Command (APC) Western Mindanao chief. This move effectively removed Nartatez from the PNP’s second-highest post.
Following this, Napolcom directed Torre to reinstate Nartatez and reassign the other 12 officials, emphasizing in Resolution 2025-0531 that the PNP did not seek the commission’s approval for the designation of these third-level officers. Local leaders observed that this dispute highlighted the tension between the PNP leadership and Napolcom’s regulatory authority.
Modifications to the Resolution
On Monday, Napolcom amended Resolution 2025-0531 through Resolution 2025-0558. This update removed Nartatez from the revamp order since he now holds the acting PNP chief position.
The revised resolution maintained Lt. Gen. Bernard Banac as Deputy Chief for Administration and Maj. Gen. Anthony Aberin as National Capital Regional Police Office (NCRPO) Director. Additionally, it appointed APC Visayas Commander Maj. Robert Alexander A. Morico II as acting Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) director.
Unchanged Third-Level Official Assignments
Meanwhile, the assignments of nine other third-level officials detailed in the earlier resolution remain intact. These include:
- Brig. Gen. Christopher Abrahano, CIDG Acting Director and APC Visayas Officer-in-Charge
- Brig. Gen. Paul Kenneth Lucas, NCRPO Deputy Director for Administration and Police Regional Office Calabarzon (PRO-4A) Director
- Brig. Gen. Jack Wanky, PRO-4A Director and NCRPO Deputy Director for Administration
- Brig. Gen. Romeo Macapaz, Police Regional Office Soccsksargen (PRO-12) Director assigned to Personnel Holding and Accounting Unit (PHAU)
- Brig. Gen. Arnold Ardiente, APC Visayas Executive Officer and PRO-12 Director
- Brig. Gen. William Segun, Highway Patrol Group (HPG) Director assigned to PHAU
- Col. Hansel Marantan, Peace Process and Development Center Chief assigned as HPG Director
- Col. Jonathan Abella, Explosive Ordnance Disposal and Canine (EOD/K9) Deputy Director for Administration and EOD/K9 Acting Director
- Col. Arnold Rosero, EOD/K9 Acting Director and EOD/K9 Deputy Director for Administration
Officials emphasized that these continued assignments aim to stabilize leadership across critical units within the PNP.
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