Nartatez promoted to 4-star rank

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January 29, 2026 | 12:00am

MANILA, Philippines —  After leading the Philippine National Police in an acting capacity for the past five months, PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. has finally received his fourth star.

President Marcos yesterday led the donning ceremony at Malacañang for Nartatez’s promotion as the 32nd PNP chief.

PNP deputy chief for administration Lt. Gen. Bernard Banac welcomed Nartatez during arrival honors at Camp Crame.

Nartatez vowed to sustain gains in the anti-crime drive in compliance with the President’s directive to keep communities safe.

The PNP has recorded a 12.4-percent decline in focus crimes, from 40,771 incidents in 2024 to 35,717 cases in 2025.

Focus crimes are murder, homicide, rape, physical injuries, car theft, motorcycle theft, theft and robbery.

As he assumed full control and supervision of the police force, Nartatez vowed to lead the 230,000-strong PNP in defending the Constitution.

With the country facing political divisiveness, Nartatez appealed for unity and commitment among police officers.

Nartatez was appointed acting police chief on Aug. 26, 2025 after former PNP chief Gen. Nicolas Torre II was sacked due to disagreements with the National Police Commission in his appointment of key officials.

Asked about his relationship with Torre, who is now general manager of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, Nartatez said, “Officers come and go, but it so happened that he’s retired and he’s with the MMDA.”

The Department of the Interior and Local Government lauded Nartatez for demonstrating exceptional leadership.

Meanwhile, Nartatez has ordered police commanders in southern Metro Manila to beef up security in public places after a 62-year-old Japanese man was beaten up by a suspected robber in Parañaque.