The National Police Commission (Napolcom) confirmed on Monday, Sept. 1, the designation of senior officials in key posts in the Philippine National Police (PNP) through a resolution that earlier triggered a change of leadership in the organization.
Except for a few modifications from what was stipulated in Napolcom Resolution 2025-0531, the new Resolution, 2025-0558 that was approved during the Sept. 1 en banc session, is expected to pave the way for the revamp that the Napolcom described as a continuing exercise of its power of control over the PNP.
In the new resolution, it affirmed the designation of Police Lt. Gen. Bernard Banac as the PNP’s second man, or the Deputy Chief for Administration which was supposed to be taken over by Police Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez, Jr.
Nartatez instead replaced Gen. Nicolas Torre III as Chief PNP in a change of leadership approved by President Marcos but surprised even the members of the police organization.
Another modification is the retention of Police Maj. Gen. Anthony A. Aberin as director of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO), which was supposed to be the post reserved for Police Maj. Gen. Robert Alexander Morico II.
Morico will instead head the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), which was supposed to be the position that will be taken over by Aberin.
Earlier, Nartatez said he will discuss with the Napolcom the content of the earlier resolution, although he made assurance that it will be implemented.
The rest of the revamp affirmed by the Napolcom are basically the content of its resolution, starting with the removal of Police Brig. Gen. Romeo Macapaz, Jr. as director of the Police Regional Office 12.
It was Torre who installed Macapaz as CIDG director and both of them are now under the Personnel Holding and Accounting Unit.
The current CIDG director will take over the post of officer-in-charge of the Area Police Command-Visayas while Police Brig. Gen. Arnold P. Ardiente was named as Macapaz’s replacement as Central Mindanao top cop.
Police Brig. Gen. Paul Kenneth Lucas is back as director of the Police Regional Office-Calabarzon, swapping position with Police Brig. Gen. Jack Wanky who was named as the number two man of the NCRPO.
Police Brig. Gen William Segun will be replaced by Col. Hansel Marantan as director of the Highway Patrol Group.
Police Col. Jonathan Abella was named acting director of the Explosives and Ordnance Disposal (EOD) K9 Group while Police Col. Arnold A. Rosero was designated as Deputy Director for Administration, EOD K9 Group.
While its first resolution triggered an impasse with then Torre-led PNP, the Napolcom, headed by Department of the Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla, said the reorganization is aimed at “ensuring strong leadership, efficient command, and effective law enforcement across the country”. (Aaron Recuenco)
