PNP Chief to Review Senior Officers Placement and Promotion Board Actions
MANILA — Philippine National Police chief Gen. Nicolas Torre III announced plans to convene the Senior Officers Placement and Promotion Board (SOPPB) to address a recent National Police Commission (Napolcom) order involving the reassignment of several third-level officers.
The SOPPB plays a crucial role in managing leadership roles within the PNP. Sources revealed that the August 14 Napolcom resolution instructed the reassignment of 13 third-level officers. This directive would reinstate Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr., the Area Police Command Western Mindanao chief, as the national deputy chief for administration.
Regional Directors Show Support Amid Reassignment Controversy
Despite the Napolcom order, the directors of the PNP’s 18 regional offices signed a manifesto backing Gen. Torre and the established chain of command. Interestingly, the manifesto did not directly mention the Napolcom directive, reflecting the sensitivity of the situation, officials reported.
During a press briefing at Camp Crame, Gen. Torre emphasized, “We are convening the SOPPB to deliberate their requirements, their directive to install commanders in various units.” He also underscored the importance of the chain of command, stating, “At the end of the day, the ultimate responsibility rests on the Chief PNP. On the chain of command, the ultimate authority for us really is the president.”
Legal Grounds Behind the Reassignment Orders
The Napolcom justified the reassignment of the 13 third-level officers by explaining that the designations were not approved by the commission en banc. Therefore, they fall under Napolcom’s jurisdiction for review and possible modification, community members said.
Specifically, an August 6 order removed Lt. Gen. Nartatez from his position as deputy chief for administration and appointed Lt. Gen. Bernard Banac, APC Western Mindanao chief, as his replacement. This move raised questions about the legal basis for such appointments.
Republic Act 6975, known as the Department of the Interior and Local Government Act, grants the PNP chief authority to assign personnel. However, Section 25 of the same law states that the two deputy chiefs must be appointed by the president, adding complexity to the issue.
Chief Torre Considers Presidential Appointment to Prevent Conflicts
When asked about the legal foundation for the August 6 order appointing Banac as deputy chief, Gen. Torre cited a July 2023 memorandum signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin. The memorandum was not immediately available for public review, and the PNP chief did not elaborate further on its contents, officials noted.
To avoid future conflicts like the recent Napolcom order, Gen. Torre is contemplating recommending that the president directly appoint third-level officers. “Now, in the recent directives, we are reviewing it. And so that it is clear to everybody, even me, I’ll be restraining myself from making such appointments in the future,” he explained.
Looking Ahead
The unfolding situation highlights the delicate balance between the Philippine National Police, the National Police Commission, and the executive branch in managing leadership appointments. The PNP chief’s call for clarity and adherence to legal protocols aims to strengthen the chain of command and maintain organizational stability.
For more news and updates on the Senior Officers Placement and Promotion Board, visit Filipinokami.com.
