Jamaine Punzalan

The Philippine National Police headquarters in Quezon City. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

Michael Delizo

ABS-CBN News

<p>MANILA — With just roughly 10 days left before the term extension of Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief General Rommel Francisco Marbil ends on June 7, names of top police generals are beginning to surface as potential successors to the highest post in the country’s police force.</p><p>Under Republic Act 6975, the President may appoint the PNP chief from among the most senior and qualified officers, with at least the rank of Police Brigadier General. The appointment must also be confirmed by the Commission on Appointments.</p><p>PNP Public Information Office Chief Col. Randulf Tuaño said that, based on seniority, those automatically in line for the top PNP post are members of the Command Group, namely, Deputy Chief for Administration Police Lieutenant General Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr., Deputy Chief for Operations Police Lieutenant General Robert Rodriguez, and Chief of the Directorial Staff Police Lieutenant General Edgar Alan Okubo.</p><p>Also included in the shortlist, according to Malacañang as confirmed by Tuaño, are Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) Director Police Major General Nicolas Torre III and National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) Director Police Major General Anthony Aberin.</p><p>Rodriguez, however, is set to retire the soonest—in July 2025.</p><p>Only four are considered leading contenders due to their experience, current roles, and proximity to the top command.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>PLTGEN. JOSE MELENCIO NARTATEZ JR.</strong></div><p>Current Position: Deputy Chief for Administration</p><p>PNP Hierarchy: Second in command</p><p>Mandatory Retirement: March 2027</p><p>PMA Class: Tanglaw-Diwa Class of 1992</p><p>Lt. Gen. Nartatez is widely viewed as a frontrunner. His long and diverse service record includes key roles as director of the NCRPO, Police Regional Office 4A (Calabarzon), Directorate for Intelligence, and the Directorate for Comptrollership. He also served as provincial director in Ilocos Norte, and also served in intelligence and investigations in Laguna.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>PLTGEN. EDGAR ALAN OKUBO</strong></div><p>Current Position: Chief of the Directorial Staff</p><p>PNP Hierarchy: Fourth in command</p><p>Mandatory Retirement: May 2026</p><p>PNPA Class: Tagapagpatupad Class of 1992</p><p>Gen. Okubo has also held strategic positions, including Director of the NCRPO and the elite Special Action Force (SAF). He previously served as chief of staff of the CIDG, director of Police Community Relations, and headed intelligence division in Police Regional Office 1 (Ilocos region). His leadership is marked by an operational and community-based policing approach.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>PMGEN. NICOLAS TORRE III</strong></div><p>Current Position: Director, Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG)</p><p>Mandatory Retirement: March 2026</p><p>PNPA Class: Tagapaglunsad Class of 1993</p><p>Gen. Torre has earned his stripes leading the Quezon City Police District, Police Regional Office 11 (Davao region), Western Samar Provincial Police Office, as well as Batangas City and Mabalacat police stations. His experience in intelligence and field operations, including stints in Police Regional Office 3 (Central Luzon) and Police Regional Office 4B (Mimaropa), adds to his credentials as a serious contender.</p><p>Torre recently led high-profile cases, including the search and eventual arrest of the now-detained influential televangelist Apollo Quiboloy in Davao City, prior to his promotion to the CIDG. As CIDG chief, he also served the warrant of arrest to former President Rodrigo Duterte.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>PMGEN. ANTHONY ABERIN</strong></div><p>Current Position: Director, National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO)</p><p>Mandatory Retirement: August 2026</p><p>PNPA Class: Tagapaglunsad Class of 1993</p><p>Gen. Aberin currently heads the NCRPO, the capital’s top police force. He previously led Police Regional Office 7 (Central Visayas) and the Aviation Security Group. His roles as deputy director in CIDG and the Maritime Group, and as provincial director in Tawi-Tawi, reflect a wide operational scope across land, sea, and air security concerns.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>A MATTER OF LAW AND DISCRETION</strong></div><div><br/></div><p>While the law provides a framework for selection, Tuaño clarified that the appointment remains a matter of presidential discretion.</p><p>“Ang lengwahe po ng Republic Act 6975, sinasabi that the president shall appoint from – ito po ay manggagaling sa listahan ng National Police Commission na ibibigay po sa ating pangulo na ang pagpipiliin po ay the most senior and qualified officers in the service pero kung titingnan din po natin,” said Tuaño</p><p>In the end, seniority, operational record, and trust all play a role.</p><p>Marbil declined to name anyone he might recommend to the President, reiterating that many senior officials are qualified for the post.</p><p>﻿“Lahat po sila magagaling,” Marbil said in a chance interview at Camp Crame.</p><p>﻿“They have their own strengths and weaknesses. Lahat po sila capable to lead the Philippine National Police. Ang gagaling po ng mga ’yan. I can assure these people are very good,&quot; he continued.</p><p>As June 7 draws near, the nation awaits President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s next move—one that will shape the leadership and direction of the police force for the years to come.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/5/27/marcos-jr-confirms-he-has-chosen-next-pnp-chief-2315">Marcos Jr. confirms he has chosen next PNP chief</a></div>

<p>With just roughly 10 days left before the term extension of Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief General Rommel Francisco Marbil ends on June 7, names of top police generals are beginning to surface as potential successors to the highest post in the country’s police force.</p>

With just roughly 10 days left before the term extension of Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief General Rommel Francisco Marbil ends on June 7, names of top police generals are beginning to surface as potential successors to the highest post in the country’s police force.

Passing the baton: Who will lead the Philippine police next?

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Passing the baton: Who will lead the Philippine police next?

Michael Delizo,

ABS-CBN News

Published May 28, 2025 06:25 PM PHT

Read More:

PNP

Camp Crame

PNP chief

Rommel Francisco Marbil

Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr.

Robert Rodriguez

Edgar Alan Okubo

Nicolas Torre III

Anthony Aberin

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