via Kyle Cunanan, Pressroom PH
Police Lieutenant General Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. has been appointed as the new chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP), replacing Police General Nicolas Torre III who was relieved of his post on Monday, August 25.
The appointment was confirmed by Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla and authorized through a memorandum signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin.
General Torre, who assumed office on June 2, 2025, as the first graduate of the Philippine National Police Academy to become PNP chief, served for less than three months before his term was cut short.
The leadership change came after tensions within the PNP and the Department of the Interior and Local Government escalated, particularly following Torre’s major reshuffle of senior officials.
In that reshuffle, Nartatez, then the PNP Deputy Chief for Administration, was reassigned to Area Police Commander for Western Mindanao, but the National Police Commission later reversed the move.
Nartatez, who hails from Ilocos Norte, previously held several key leadership posts and was widely seen as one of the most senior and experienced officers in the police force.
He now faces the challenge of restoring organizational stability within the PNP and addressing heightened public attention on issues of safety and governance.
The Palace has directed Torre to ensure a proper turnover of documents and responsibilities to secure continuity of police operations.
The Palace has assured that the leadership transition is intended to strengthen the PNP’s efficiency and maintain order within its ranks.
