Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr., commander of the Area Police Command (APC) in Western Mindanao, has officially assumed the role of officer-in-charge (OIC) of the Philippine National Police (PNP). His appointment came after Gen. Nicolas Torre III was relieved from his post through a memorandum signed on August 25 by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin.
Nartatez’s designation marks another change in the leadership of the country’s police force. Before his reassignment to Western Mindanao earlier this month, he served as the PNP’s deputy chief for administration, the second-highest position in the organization.
Napolcom Intervenes in Reassignment
The move to transfer Nartatez to Western Mindanao on August 6 was initiated by Torre, but it quickly faced institutional opposition. On August 14, the National Police Commission (Napolcom) issued a resolution ordering Torre to reverse the reassignment and reinstate Nartatez as deputy chief for administration.
The directive highlighted the need for stability in the PNP’s leadership structure, particularly during a sensitive transition period. Despite the controversy, Nartatez maintained the trust of civilian authorities, paving the way for his appointment as OIC chief.
Veteran Officer With Leadership Experience
A member of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Class of 1992, Nartatez has decades of experience in law enforcement. His assumption of the PNP’s top post is notable as his predecessor, Torre, was the first graduate of the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA) to become PNP chief.
Nartatez had also been shortlisted last June as one of the possible successors to then-PNP chief Gen. Rommel Marbil, who stepped down that month. Although he was not selected for the permanent role at that time, his new position as OIC once again places him at the forefront of the organization.
As the PNP transitions under his leadership, attention now turns to how Nartatez will address both operational challenges and internal reforms while awaiting the appointment of a permanent police chief.
