President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Wednesday administered the oath of office to Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. as the new chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP during a ceremony at Malacañang Palace.
The event included the donning of Nartatez’s four-star rank, formally confirming his leadership of the national police force.
Palace Press Officer and Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said the President expressed confidence in Nartatez’s ability to lead the organization.
“Nagpaabot ng pagbati at suporta ang Pangulo kay General Nartatez para sa kaniyang husay sa pamumuno sa hanay ng kapulisan,” Castro said.
“Kinilala rin ng Pangulo ang mga mahalagang papel na ginampanan ng kapulisan sa pagpapanatili ng kaayusan at siguridad sa bansa,” she added.
Nartatez, the 32nd PNP chief, was accorded arrival honors upon his return to Camp Crame in Quezon City, where he was welcomed by Deputy Chief for Administration Lt. Gen. Bernard Banac.
In his address, Nartatez pledged loyalty to constitutional duty and impartial law enforcement.
“I will enforce the rule of law without fear or favor,” he said, calling on PNP personnel to unite in advancing the administration’s goal of safe and secure communities.
He outlined priorities that include strengthening security for vital installations, improving crowd management, and anticipating emerging threats.
“We will manage our resources with strict accountability so that manpower, logistics and funding directly serve police operations. We will strengthen morale and welfare because discipline and motivation are operational necessities, not privileges,” Nartatez said.
He also stressed the importance of integrity within the ranks.
“Professionalism, discipline and integrity are not optional, they are expected,” he said.
Nartatez had served as acting PNP chief since August 2025 following the relief of his predecessor, Gen. Nicolas Torre III, amid a reorganization dispute.
Torre officially retired on December 26, 2024, paving the way for Nartatez’s confirmation as full-fledged PNP chief.