Nartatez replaces Torre as PNP chief —DILG's Remulla

Police Lieutenant General Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. replaced Police General Nicolas Torre III as the head of the Philippine National Police (PNP) following the latter’s relief from the post, Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Juanito Victor 'Jonvic' Remulla said on Tuesday.

“Yes,” Remulla told GMA News Online when asked for confirmation.

Remulla confirmed to GMA News Online the memorandum from Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin requesting President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to sign the appointment of Nartatez as PNP chief.

According to him, Marcos approved the request.

“Yes, confirmed. Nartatez will be the next CPNP,” Remulla said.

Nartatez was the former head of the Philippine Nation Police (PNP) Directorate for Intelligence before he assumed the post as acting director of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) in July 2023.

Just two months and three weeks ago on June 2, Torre took over as the 31st PNP chief.

He became the first alumnus of the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA) to lead the police organization.

Torre would have had around one year and seven months left to serve as the PNP chief before reaching the retirement age on March 11, 2027.

He was the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) chief who led the arrest of former president Rodrigo Duterte and his transport to the International Criminal Court in The Hague, Netherlands on March 11 to face charges of crimes against humanity case in connection with his administration’s war on drugs.

Torre was the CIDG chief from September 25, 2024 until his installation as PNP chief. 

As Police Regional Office 11 (PRO 11) chief, Torre led the capture of Kingdom of Jesus Christ founder Apollo Quiboloy on September 8, 2024 in Davao City over charges of human trafficking and sexual exploitation of minors.

He led the PRO 11 from June 18, 2024 to September 24, 2024. 

Appointment issue

The relief of Torre came after the National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) issued a resolution reversing and modifying the appointments made by Torre.

Issued on August 14, NAPOLCOM’s Resolution 2025-0531 had directed the return of Nartatez as Deputy Chief for Administration and Police Lieutenant General Bernard Banac as commander of the Area Police Command (APC) Western Mindanao.

They switched positions earlier this month.

The NAPOLCOM also ordered the PNP to immediately issue corresponding orders with regard to the movement of 11 more officials.

Torre thereafter said the PNP and NAPOLCOM have resolved the issue over the recent reshuffling of police officials. He however refused to provide specifics on how the agreement was reached. —KG, GMA Integrated News