NARTATEZ TAKES OATH AS PNP CHIEF

PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Wednesday administered the oath of office to General Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr. as full-fledged Chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP) in a formal ceremony held at the Malacañan Palace.

President Marcos congratulated Nartatez for taking on his role as PNP Chief and expressed support as he tackles the responsibilities and challenges under his office.

“Nagpaabot ng pagbati at suporta ang Pangulo kay General Nartatez para sa kanyang husay sa pamumuno sa hanay ng kapulisan,” Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said in a press briefing.

Castro said the President also acknowledged the critical role of the PNP in supporting the administration’s efforts in maintaining peace and order, and security in the country.

Nartatez has previously served in various leadership positions, including as PNP Deputy Chief for Administration from 2024 to 2025; National Capital Region Police Office Director from 2023 to 2024; Regional Director of Police Regional Office IV-A Calabarzon from 2022 to 2023; and as Ilocos Norte Police Provincial Office Director from 2016 to 2018.

The new PNP Chief has held multiple key positions in the PNP since he joined the police force in 1992, including as Director for Comptrollership and Intelligence; member of the elite PNP Special Action Force; and as member of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group.

In 2006, Nartatez was promoted to the rank of Police Lieutenant Colonel in recognition of exceptional service.

Nartatez is a member of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Tanglaw-Diwa Class of 1992.

He holds a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from the Polytechnic University of the Philippines.

OVERDUE PROMOTION

SENATE President Pro Tempore and former Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson on Wednesday congratulated PNP Chief Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. on the formal conferment of his four-star rank.

Lacson, who headed the PNP from 1999 to 2001, described as “overdue” the promotion of Nartatez, who served as his police aide-de-camp when he had the same position at the time.

“Time really flies. 26 years ago, four-star Police General Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. was my police aide-de-amp when I had the same position and responsibility that he now carries. Truly proud of him,”he said.

“His promotion is overdue, having been delayed by the issue raised by former Chief PNP and ‘deemed resigned’ P/Gen. Nicolas Torre III upon his appointment and oath-taking as Metropolitan Manila Development Authority General Manager last December 19 and 26 respectively,” added Lacson, under whose watch the PNP gained the trust and supportof the public.

On Wednesday, Nartatez formally received his fourth star and the rank of Police General, the highest in the PNP. This ended a months-ong situation where Torre held the rank even after he was relieved of his post as PNP chief in August 2025. 

Lacson earlier noted that Nartatez has big shoes to fill as PNP chief, and that leadership by example remains the key to ensuring discipline in the PNP, as it would give him the moral authority to tell his personnel not to extort or be involved in criminal activities.

“He knows my style as Chief PNP. And I hope he with the assistance and guidance of the Interior Secretary will help discipline the police force just as I did in going after the ICU – inept, corrupt and undisciplined police officers,” he added.