Photo courtesy of Office of the Chief PNP/Facebook.
The formal elevation of acting Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. to a four-star rank remains dependent on President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s schedule, police officials said Monday.
The path was cleared last week after the PNP issued an order confirming the exit of its former chief, now Metropolitan Manila Development Authority General Manager Nicolas Torre III, from active police service, paving the way for Nartatez’s promotion.
PNP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Randulf Tuaño said the timing of the oath-taking and promotion rites would be determined by Malacañang. “Ito ay magiging depende sa availability ng schedule ng ating mahal na pangulo,” he told reporters during a briefing at Camp Crame.
Under Republic Act No. 6975, or the law that reorganized the PNP, only the President has the authority to appoint and promote a full-fledged four-star police general who will serve as chief of the national police.
Tuaño said the promotion ceremony is expected to be held in Malacañang, followed by traditional arrival honors at Camp Crame once Nartatez officially assumes the post wearing his four stars. Such rites mark a new chief’s first formal entry into the PNP headquarters.
He added that the event at Camp Crame would be limited to an assumption-of-command ceremony, citing the order that made Torre’s optional retirement effective on Dec. 26, despite the former police chief disputing that he sought early retirement.
While no date has been set for the promotion, Tuaño said the President has been invited to attend the PNP Day celebration on Jan. 29 at Camp Crame, an occasion that could also coincide with Nartatez’s formal elevation.
