NAPOLCOM affirms Nartatez as acting PNP chief

The National Police Commission on Monday said it has affirmed the designation of Police Lieutenant General Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. as the acting chief of the Philippine National Police.

In a statement, NAPOLCOM said Nartatez’ designation was “necessary” because former PNP chief Police General Nicolas Torre III “though relieved from his post, continues to hold the rank of Police General — a rank that by law can only be vested in a single officer at a time.”

The NAPOLCOM in its Resolution No. 2025-0552 affirmed that “Nartatez, as Acting Chief, is fully vested with legal authority to exercise and discharge all powers, prerogatives, and responsibilities of the Chief of the PNP.”

NAPOLCOM vice chairperson and executive officer Commissioner Rafael Vicente Calinisan said "this move underscores NAPOLCOM’s constitutional mandate to administer and control the PNP and ensures the continuity of leadership at the helm of the national police force.”

Meanwhile, the NAPOLCOM also confirmed the designation, assignment, and reassignment of several police officials to key PNP third-level positions.

The Commission through Resolution No. 2025-0558 made “modifications” in the designation of the following selected officials in the “exigency” of service:

• Police Lieutenant General Bernard M. Banac – Acting Deputy Chief for Administration; 
• Police Major General Robert Alexander A. Morico II – Acting Director, Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG); 
• Police Major General Anthony A. Aberin – Regional Director, National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO); 
• Police Brigadier General Christopher N. Abrahano – Officer-in-Charge Commander, APC Visayas; 
• Police Brigadier General Paul Kenneth T. Lucas – Regional Director, Police Regional Office 4A (CALABARZON); 
• Police Brigadier General Jack L. Wanky – Deputy Regional Director for Administration, NCRPO; 
• Police Brigadier General Romeo J. Macapaz – Personnel Holding and Accounting Unit; 
• Police Brigadier General Arnold P. Ardiente – Regional Director, Police Regional Office 12 (SOCCSKSARGEN); 
• Police Brigadier General William M. Segun – Personnel Holding and Accounting Unit; 
• Police Colonel Hansel M. Marantan – Acting Director, Highway Patrol Group (HPG); 
• Police Colonel Jonathan Abella – Acting Director, Explosives and Ordnance Disposal (EOD) K9 Group;
• Police Colonel Arnold A. Rosero – Deputy Director for Administration, EOD K9 Group.

On August 26, Nartatez took over the PNP as acting chief after the sudden relief of Torre from the top post, which was announced the same day. 

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

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