Maria Virginia Sy

Police Lt. Gen. Emmanuel Nartatez Jr. takes over as officer-in-charge of the Philippine National Police during the assumption of command ceremony presided over by Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla at Camp Crame in Quezon City on Tuesday, August 26, 2025. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

Gen. Nartatez takes over as PNP Chief

Michael Delizo

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/175620034470120250826-pnp-assumption-of-command-nartatez-MT8.jpg" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Police Lt. Gen. Emmanuel Nartatez Jr. takes over as officer-in-charge of the Philippine National Police during the assumption of command ceremony at Camp Crame in Quezon City on Tuesday, August 26, 2025. <em>Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News </em></span></span></span>MANILA — PLtGen. Jose Melencio Nartatez will replace PGen. Nicolas Torre III as the head of the Philippine National Police (PNP) following his relief from the post, Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla said Tuesday.</div><p>Nartatez, currently the Area Police Commander (APC) for Western Mindanao, has a long and varied service record. </p><p>He previously served as PNP Deputy Chief for Administration and director of the Metro Manila police, Calabarzon police, Directorate for Intelligence, and Directorate for Comptrollership. He was also provincial director in Ilocos Norte and held posts in intelligence and investigations in Laguna.</p><p>Before his <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/8/6/pnp-reassigns-2nd-highest-ranking-cop-to-mindanao-0931">assignment to Mindanao</a>, Nartatez was the PNP’s second in command and regarded as a frontrunner for the top post before Torre was appointed instead in June.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/8/18/torre-breaks-silence-after-napolcom-blocks-pnp-reshuffle-bid-1231">Torre breaks silence after Napolcom blocks PNP reshuffle bid</a></div><p>Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, in a letter dated Aug. 25 and only made public on Tuesday, said Torre’s relief was “by the order of the President” and “effective immediately.” </p><p>The letter did not disclose why Torre was removed from his post, barely three months since he took the helm of the PNP. </p><p>But the interior department later confirmed that Torre&#x27;s move to reshuffle some PNP officials was <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/8/26/pnp-reshuffle-a-factor-in-torre-removal-dilg-1157">&quot;part of the consideration of the President&quot; </a>in removing him from the helm of the police force.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>&#x27;ACTED BEYOND AUTHORITY&#x27;</strong></div><p><strong></strong>Sen. Panfilo Lacson, a former PNP chief, said Torre acted “beyond his authority” when he unilaterally relieved Nartatez, his second in command, earlier this month. </p><p>Lacson noted that the designation and relief of the members of the PNP Command Group should be cleared with the President or at least the ex-officio Chairman of the National Police Commission.</p><p>&quot;Even when ex-President Estrada gave me the blanket authority to run and manage the PNP during my time as CPNP, I did not exercise absolute authority over the designations of the members of the Command Group,&quot; Lacson said.</p><p>&quot;Having said that, the relief of PGen. Nicolas Torre III is the sole prerogative of the President of the Philippines. What is important at this point is a smooth transition and transfer of command and authority so as not to hamper the overall mission of the PNP to continue maintaining peace and order for the benefit of the people whom they have sworn to &#x27;serve and protect&#x27;&quot; he added.</p><p>Torre was the fourth head of the PNP under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. </p><p>He made headlines for leading the arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte, and for launching a raid in televangelist and suspected child abuser Apollo Quiboloy’s compound in Davao City.</p><p>Meanwhile, Nartatez is a member of the Philippine Military Academy Tanglaw-Diwa Class of 1992 and is set to retire in March 2027.</p><div><br/></div><div><em></em><strong>RELATED VIDEOS: </strong><strong></strong><em><strong></strong></em><br/></div><div><iframe width="1250" height="703" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/unWTtjv70jg" title="FULL: Nicholas Torre III lays out plans for PNP as its new chief | ABS-CBN News" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><iframe width="1100" height="619" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/XI5u6sNDkLo" title="PNP chief Torre says ring set for boxing match vs. Baste Duterte | ABS-CBN News" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><iframe width="1100" height="619" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/W83pPpth9Dg" title="Imee Marcos confronts Nicolas Torre with video of Duterte arrest | ABS-CBN News" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br/></div>

<p>PLtGen. Jose Melencio Nartatez will replace PGen. Nicolas Torre III as the head of the Philippine National Police (PNP) following his relief from the post, Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla said Tuesday.</p>

PLtGen. Jose Melencio Nartatez will replace PGen. Nicolas Torre III as the head of the Philippine National Police (PNP) following his relief from the post, Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla said Tuesday.

Nartatez to replace Torre as PNP chief: DILG

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

Sudoku

Word of the Day

Lotto

Horoscope

Nation

Nartatez to replace Torre as PNP chief: DILG

Michael Delizo,

ABS-CBN News

Published August 26, 2025 10:04 AM PHT

|

Updated August 26, 2025 05:26 PM PHT

Read More:

PNP

Torre

Nartatez

PNP chief

ABS-CBN Newsletter

Your go-to source for the latest news, entertainment highlights, exclusive interviews, and updates on your favorite Kapamilya stars.

ABS-CBN Newsletter

Your go-to source for the latest news, entertainment highlights, exclusive interviews, and updates on your favorite Kapamilya stars.

Sign Up

I have read and agree to the Terms and Privacy Policy.

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

AI Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.