Top police officials and graduates of the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA) are protesting what they describe as an overstep of authority by the National Police Commission (Napolcom), following its decision to reverse a recent reshuffling of senior officers.
The PNPA alumni—known as Lakans—voiced their protest during a gathering at the PNP Multi-Purpose Center in Camp Crame, Quezon City, on Friday night, August 15.
A total of 114 graduates, many of whom are high-ranking officials and class presidents, convened to express their unwavering support for Gen. Nicolas Torre III.
They also reaffirmed their commitment to uphold the principle of a single line of authority within the police organization, emphasizing their readiness to defend the integrity of the PNP’s chain of command.
Torre is the first ever Lakan to hold the position of Chief PNP since the inception of the police organization in 1991.
In a speech, a senior Lakan emphasized the need for the police officers to unite and protect the integrity of the PNP.
“We are here because, for the first time in the history of our organization, a Lakan sits as the Chief of the Philippine National Police, our fellow Lakan Police General Nicolas Torre III,” the senior Lakan police official said.
Ranking police officials also signed a manifesto of support to the integrity of the organization leadership and respect for the single line of authority in the PNP, citing Section 26 of Republic Act 6975 as the basis.
The clash between the PNP and the Napolcom appeared to have been triggered by the recent revamp approved by Torre involving two ranking police officials.
The August 5 order directed the switching of positions between Police Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez, Jr., the then number two man of the PNP as Deputy Chief for Administration; and Police Lt. Gen. Bernard Banac, the then commander of the Area Police Command-Western Mindanao.
Nartatez and Banac are both members of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Class 1992, or the last PMA class which was allowed entry to the PNP.
On Thursday, Aug. 14, Napolcom issued an order reversing the decision for Nartatez and Banac to switch places, which means the reinstatement of the two officials to their previous posts.
In the order, it stated that the PNP did not follow the procedure since the movement of third level officers—from colonels to generals— needs the approval of the Napolcom en banc.
Aside from the two officials, also affected by Napolcom order were 10 ranking police officials and involved coveted positions in the PNP, including the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO), and the Police Regional Office-Calabarzon.
For the Lakans and senior police officials, the Napolcom order undermined the authority of not only Torre but also the future sitting PNP chiefs since any revamp will have to be approved by the Napolcom.
The directors of 18 police regional offices already issued separate statements expressing support to Torre and the PNP’s chain of command. (Aaron Recuenco)
