1. Swift, Unexpected Transition
In a sudden leadership change, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. relieved Gen. Nicolas Torre III of his post as PNP Chief, citing a shift in strategic direction rather than fault or misconduct. Torre’s brief and controversial tenure ended just 85 days after he assumed office on June 2, 2025.
He was succeeded by Lt. Gen. José Melencio Nartatez Jr., whose appointment took effect on August 26, 2025, following the signing of the relevant memorandum.
![PNP_Chief[1]](https://cacg-ksa.info/wp-content/uploads/elementor/thumbs/PNP_Chief1-ravlolr8f6gskuvx07cgh2pzz09jdijvlebgqygjc0.jpg "PNP_Chief[1]")
2. Who Is Lt. Gen. Nartatez?
Born on March 19, 1971, in Santa, Ilocos Sur, Nartatez is a graduate of the Philippine Military Academy (Tanglaw‑Diwa Class of 1992) and holds a master’s degree in public administration.Wikipedia
His extensive PNP resume includes:
- Director of National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO)
- Regional Director of Calabarzon (PRO 4A)
- Provincial Police Chief of Ilocos Norte
- Key roles within Camp Crame, including Finance Service and the Directorates for Comptrollership and Intelligence
- Member of the elite Special Action Force and the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group
- Deputy Chief for Administration—second-in-command position within the PNP—appointed in October 2024WikipediaPhilippine News AgencyAsian Journal News
3. Leadership Vision & Priorities
In his remarks during the turnover ceremony at Camp Crame, Nartatez emphasized continuity and innovation:
- He pledged to carry forward Gen. Torre’s five-minute response time initiative, designed to enhance emergency responsiveness.GMA NetworkPhilippine News Agency
- He prioritized key issues including cybercrime, illegal drugs, loose firearms, and terrorism.GMA Network
- Upholding integrity within the force remains a cornerstone of his administration, promising to implement rigorous integrity monitoring at all levels to root out misconduct.GMA Network
Central Visayas PNP leadership warmly welcomed Nartatez’s appointment, expressing confidence in his ability to uphold professionalism, integrity, and effective law enforcement.SunStar Publishing Inc.
4. Context and Implications
Gen. Torre’s appointment marked the first time a PNPA (Philippine National Police Academy) graduate led the PNP—a departure from the traditional PMA background. Unfortunately, his leadership was marred by controversy, including the attempted reshuffle of high-ranking officers without proper authority—a move ruled void by NAPOLCOM.Asian Journal NewsPhilstarAP News
Nartatez’s return signifies a possible reset toward institutional stability and structured reform, reinforced by his alignment with administrative processes and proven leadership track record.
Summary Table
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Name | – Lt. Gen. José Melencio C. Nartatez Jr. |
| Assumed Office | – August 26, 2025 |
| Key Background | – PMA (1992), Finance, Intelligence, SAC, NCRPO, Calabarzon |
| Core Priorities | – Emergency responsiveness, cybercrime, drug interdiction, integrity |
| Leadership Goal | – Continue reforms, ensure public safety, rebuild trust |
Lt. Gen. Nartatez steps into leadership amid high expectations—for stability, effective policing, and thoughtful modernization. As the 32nd PNP Chief, he’ll need to balance bold reform with consistency and accountability.
image source:
https://cdn.manilastandard.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Jose-Melencio-Nartatez-Jr.jpg
https://asianjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/PNP_Chief.jpg
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