NAPOLCOM to issue reso affirming Nartatez as new PNP acting chief

The National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) is set to issue a resolution affirming Police Lieutenant General Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. as the acting chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP).

According to the NAPOLCOM, it is allowed for Nartatez, a three-star general, to take over the police organization despite erstwhile PNP chief Police General Nicolas Torre III outranking him with the four-star rank.

"Puwede naman pong 'yung senaryong iyon na isang three-star general na Chief PNP pero mayroon pa ring four-star general. May mga nangyari na po dati sa ating kasaysayan nang gan'un. It's not the most ideal but it is possible," NAPOLCOM vice chairperson and executive officer Commissioner Rafael Vicente Calinisan.

(That scenario is possible wherein a three-star general is Chief PNP but there is also a four-star general. There have been cases like this in our history. It's not the most ideal but it is possible.)

"So we will release a NAPOLCOM resolution very soon affirming the acting status, acting capacity of General Nartatez as acting Chief PNP. And we'll take it from there," he added.

Based on the Section 29 of the Department of the Interior and Local Government Act of 1990, "the head of the PNP with the rank director general (now called police general) shall have the position title of Chief of the PNP."

Torre will reach the retirement age on March 11, 2027, while Nartatez on March 19, 2027.

On Wednesday, Torre said he took a leave of absence following his removal as PNP chief.

"I took a leave, which I will do. I think this will be the second time in my career. I'm thinking about how long it will be, since it is for the approval of the chief PNP. I'm planning to use the maximum leave authorized, my vacation leave, my service leave," Torre said.

Nartatez on Tuesday took over the PNP as acting chief after the sudden relief of Torre from the top post, which was announced on the same day. 

Just two months and three weeks ago on June 2, Torre took over the police organization.

Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla on Tuesday said one of the reasons why Torre was relieved as PNP chief was his defiance to a NAPOLCOM order on the reassignment of key officials. — VDV, GMA Integrated News