Nartatez presides over first PNP command conference as acting chief

Philippine National Police (PNP) acting chief Police Lieutenant General Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. presided over his command conference as the head of the police organization at Camp Crame on Friday.

In an ambush interview, Nartatez said he asked for the feedback of police officials and discussed with them their concerns in their respective jurisdictions.

He said the morale of the police organization is “high.”

“I am very happy to receive them today. The morale of the PNP is high, as according to their feedback,” the acting PNP chief said.

“And I have laid down the program and focus activities of our Philippine National Police before hearing the different emerging problems or challenges dito sa kanilang jurisdictions, especially the regions,” he added.

Nartatez said police officials tackled their preparations to secure the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) Parliamentary Elections, which is set on October 13, 2025.

“Of course, another thing is the election in BARMM for parliamentary elections. We still have seven weeks, that would be on October 13,” he said.

“So, we will ensure that this election will be safe and secure, and of course, it will be fair by making contingencies and preparations in coordination with the [Commission on Elections],” he added.

Nartatez said they also discussed the adjustments of the Sulu provincial police following the transfer of the province from the regional administration of BARRM to Zamboanga Peninsula.

“So, make sure that the transfer, transition of those units are in order at saka maayos (and smooth),” he said.

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

Just nearly three months ago on June 2, Torre took over the police organization.

Interior and Local Government Jonvic Remulla on Tuesday said one of the reasons Torre was relieved as PNP chief was his defiance to an order of the National Police Commission on the reassignment of key officials.

However, Remulla also said that Marcos is considering Torre for a government position.