Photo courtesy of Presidential Communications Office/Facebook.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Wednesday led the formal oath-taking of Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. as the new Philippine National Police chief at Malacañang Palace.
The ceremony officially promotes Nartatez to the four-star rank of police general, marking his full assumption of the country’s top police post.
Nartatez had been serving as acting PNP chief since August 26, 2025, following the reassignment of Gen. Nicolas Torre III over a dispute with the National Police Commission regarding senior personnel movements.
With his promotion, Nartatez now has complete authority over the operations, policies, and administration of the national police force.
Torre, who previously held the PNP’s highest post, has since transitioned to government service as general manager of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority.
Palace officials said the handover reflects continuity in leadership and adherence to institutional protocols within the PNP.
Nartatez’s elevation comes as the PNP continues its efforts to modernize operations and strengthen public safety initiatives nationwide.