The National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) has nullified the recent designations made by Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief, Police General Nicolas Torre III, by reversing and modifying his appointments of key officers.
In a resolution issued on August 14, NAPOLCOM directed the reinstatement of Police Lieutenant General Jose Melencio Nartatez as Deputy Chief for Administration and Police Lieutenant General Bernard Banac as Commander of the Area Police Command (APC) Western Mindanao.
It may be recalled that the two officials swapped positions earlier this month.
NAPOLCOM also ordered the PNP to immediately implement new assignments for the following officials:
- PMGEN Robert Alexander A. Morico II – from APC Visayas Commander to NCRPO Regional Director
- PMGEN Anthony A. Aberin – from NCRPO Regional Director to CIDG Director
- PMGEN Christopher N. Abrahano – from CIDG Acting Director to APC Visayas Officer-in-Charge
- PBGEN Paul Kenneth T. Lucas – from Deputy Regional Director for Administration of NCRPO to Regional Director of PRO4-A
- PBGEN Jack L. Wanky – from Regional Director of PRO4-A to Deputy Regional Director for Administration of NCRPO
- PBGEN Romeo J. Macapaz – from Regional Director, PRO 12 to Personnel Holding and Accounting Unit
- PBGEN Arnold P. Ardiente – from Ex-O, APC Visayas to Regional Director, PRO 12
- PBGEN William M. Segun – from HPG Director to Personnel Holding and Accounting Unit
- PCOL Hansel M. Marantan – from Acting Chief, Peace Process and Development Center, OCPNP to Director, Highway Patrol Group
- PCOL Jonathan Abella – from Personnel Holding and Accounting Unit to Acting Director, EOD K9
- PCOL Arnold A. Rosero – from Acting Director, EOD K9 to Deputy Director for Administration, EOD K9
According to the resolution: "while the powers to designate, assign, reassign Police Commissioned Officers to third-level positions are vested in the Chief, PNP under Section 26 of R.A. No. 6975, the power to review, approve, reverse or modify such acts is within the authority of the NAPOLCOM."
NAPOLCOM further stressed that Section 6, Article XVI of the 1987 Constitution mandates the establishment of a unified police force "to be administered and controlled by a national police commission."
The Commission cited its earlier issuance, Resolution No. 2022-473 dated August 9, which enjoins the PNP to strictly observe NAPOLCOM Memorandum Circular No. 2019-001. The circular specifically requires review and confirmation by the Commission En Banc for the placement of officers in third-level positions. Despite this, the resolution noted that the "PNP recently made a series of designations, assignments, and reassignments of Police Commissioned Officers to third-level positions without the required confirmation by the Commission En Banc" which is chaired by Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla.
"RESOLVED FURTHERMORE, that any designation, assignments, reassignments without prior review and confirmation of the NAPOLCOM shall be deemed ineffective," the resolution stated.
However, several Police Regional Offices have since expressed their support for Torre.
"The men and women of NCRPO express unshakeable support to the Chief, Philippine National Police and all of his legally-issued administrative and operational directives pursuant to the lawful exercise of his mandate as the duly-appointed leader of the country’s police force," the National Capital Region Police Office said in a statement.
The Police Regional Office–Cordillera (PRO-CAR) also expressed solidarity with Torre, saying: "We firmly recognize that your directives, including necessary command adjustments, are fully aligned with Section 26 of Republic Act 6975 (The DILG Act of 1990). These actions are not only lawful but essential in ensuring an efficient, disciplined, and mission-ready police force."
Meanwhile, PNP Chief Torre has yet to issue a statement on the matter.
