Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Juanito Victor “Jonvic” Remulla announced on Tuesday, August 26, that Police Lieutenant General Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. has been named as the new chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP), replacing Police General Nicolas Torre III, who was abruptly relieved of his post.
Prior to his appointment, Nartatez served as the Area Police Commander for Western Mindanao.
He previously held the position of PNP Deputy Chief for Administration, making him the second-highest-ranking officer in the organization.
A member of the Philippine Military Academy Tanglaw-Diwa Class of 1992, Nartatez is scheduled to retire in March 2027.
Although Nartatez was previously considered the frontrunner for the top post, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. had appointed Torre instead.
Remulla’s announcement came hours after Malacañang confirmed the relief of Torre, who has one year and seven months remaining before reaching the mandatory retirement age on March 11, 2027.
Before becoming PNP chief, Torre served as head of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG).
He notably led the arrest and transfer of former President Rodrigo Duterte to the International Criminal Court in The Hague, Netherlands, on March 11, to face charges of crimes against humanity related to his administration’s war on drugs.
Torre held the CIDG post from September 25, 2024, until his elevation to PNP chief. (Chito Chavez)
