Police Lieutenant General Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. is now the new Chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP), officially replacing General Nicolas Torre III as of August 26, 2025.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has officially appointed Nartatez Jr. as the new PNP Chief, replacing General Torre III, who was relieved from his post effective immediately on August 26, 2025.
Sources confirm that Gen. Torre failed to coordinate with NAPOLCOM before implementing a major revamp of third-level officers, including the reassignment of Nartatez to Western Mindanao and the appointment of Lt. Gen. Bernard Banac as Deputy Chief for Administration.
This move was deemed unauthorized under Republic Act 6975, which mandates that NAPOLCOM must review and approve such high-level personnel changes.
On August 14, NAPOLCOM issued Resolution No. 2025-0531, nullifying Torre’s reassignment orders and warning that any future violations could result in administrative sanctions.
