Nartatez takes over as OIC of PNP after Torre’s sudden relief

Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. (File photo from Police Regional Office 4A / Facebook Page

MANILA, Philippines—Area Police Command (APC) Western Mindanao commander Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. on Tuesday formally assumed office as officer-in-charge (OIC) of the Philippine National Police (PNP) chief, replacing Gen. Nicolas Torre III.

This came after Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla confirmed Nartatez’ appointment as the next leader of the national police force.

“Pursuant to General Orders No. NHQ-GO-DES-2025-4309 dated August 26, 2025, I hereby assume the position as Officer-in-Charge, Philippine National Police effective August 26, 2025 and I sign in your presence,” Nartatez said in a ceremony at Camp Crame on Tuesday.

Nartatez, formerly the PNP deputy chief for administration—the second-highest position in the national police force—was reassigned to APC Western Mindanao on August 6 by Torre.

The move drew a resolution from the National Police Commission (Napolcom) on August 14, ordering Torre to reverse the reassignment and reinstate Nartatez as deputy chief.

READ: Remulla confirms Nartatez is next PNP chief

Nartatez is a member of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Class of 1992. Torre was the first PNP Academy (PNPA) alumnus to serve as the nation’s top police official.

Why was Torre relieved from his post?

The DILG chief said the Napolcom resolution was “part of the consideration” why Torre was axed.

“He did not violate any laws. He has not been charged with any violations. He has not been charged criminally nor administratively. It is simply a choice of the President to take a new direction for the PNP,” he clarified.

“We are a country of laws and not of men. The institutions must be larger than the people who run it. In this case, the President saw it necessary that the institution of the PNP and the Napolcom be upheld as according to the spirit of the law as it was created,” Remulla stressed.

According to Remulla, he tried reaching out to Torre on Monday night, making at least five phone calls.

Nartatez noted that his designation did not mean a promotion from his three-star rank of police lieutenant general to the four-star rank of police general, which Torre received when he assumed office last June and still holds on to.

What will happen then to the police general rank? Remulla said it was up to Napolcom.

For his part, Torre has yet to issue a statement about the matter as of this writing.

However, on his official social media account hours after Nartatez was sworn in, Torre shared a post from a fan page saying in Filipino: “The strength and courage of Chief Torre is for the good of every Filipino because the true victory is continued service to the people.”

READ: Napolcom order on PNP revamp leads to Torre’s relief – DILG chief

Why was Nartatez selected?

While Torre ultimately replaced then-PNP chief Gen. Rommel Marbil last June, Nartatez was among the roster of senior PNP officers up for consideration.

“General Nartatez has served the PNP with distinction, with honor and with integrity. The President, while ruminating through the papers and the qualifications, saw that General Nartatez was best qualified to be the next chief PNP,” Remulla explained.

The DILG chief said the president gave him and Nartatez a month to present a comprehensive citizens security strategy to ensure continuity in the law enforcement agency.

READ: Nartatez, Remulla have a month to show Marcos new security strategy

In his speech shortly after assuming office, Nartatez put an emphasis on patrolling and investigation; combatting cybercrime, illegal drugs, loose firearms and terrorism; and personnel education and well-being.

He added that, as OIC, he will review the law enforcement agency’s plans to manage risks to security, protect vital locations, manage public events and monitor integrity among officers. /apl/abc/das