Police General Nicolas Torre III has effectively resigned from the Philippine National Police (PNP) after accepting the post of general manager of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), a move that clears the way for Police Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio C. Nartatez, Jr. to become full-time PNP chief and secure his fourth star rank.
Ralph Calinisan, vice chairman and chief executive officer of the National Police Commission (Napolcom), confirmed Torre’s resignation on Saturday, Dec. 27, stressing that his acceptance of the MMDA appointment constitutes an automatic separation from the police force.
“With the appointment of Torre to the MMDA, and his acceptance of the post, he has ipso facto resigned from the police force. This is a very welcome development as it paves the way for General Jose Melencio Nartatez, Jr. to get his well-deserved four-star rank which accompanies his original appointment as Chief of the Philippine National Police,” Calinisan said in a statement.
Torre was named as PNP chief in May this year but around three months later, he was replaced due to the issue of reorganization involving senior PNP officers, including Nartatez who was then removed as the PNP’s 2nd highest official to serve as commander of police forces in Western Mindanao.
Nartatez was later named acting PNP chief but he could not get his fourth start as Torre was still in active service then.
Torre and Nartatez’s retirement is in March 2027.
Under the law that created the PNP, only one four star general is allowed in the PNP and when Torre was removed as the country’s top cop, he was considered to be on a non-duty status.
With the recent development, the awkward situation in the PNP is now settled.
“This provides that much needed clarity in the PNP, as General Nartatez has had full operational accountability and leadership responsibilities for months now,” said Calinisan.
“I am personally looking forward to the donning of the four-star rank to General Nartatez by the President. I commend General Nartatez for his exceptional leadership and unwavering commitment to professionalizing the PNP,” he added. (Aaron Recuenco)
