NAPOLCOM, Torre clash on reshuffle

MANILA, Philippines — Who has the final say in reshuffles in the Philippine National Police?

The National Police Commission (Napolcom) has ordered the PNP to recall, set aside and modify the present designations, assignments and reassignments of Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. and 12 other senior PNP officers.

The Napolcom wants Nartatez back in his post as PNP deputy chief for administration and his replacement, Lt. Gen. Bernard Banac, reassigned to his previous post as Area Police Command Western Mindanao director.

The two officials switched posts last week on orders of PNP chief Gen. Nicolas Torre III. Sources said Banac and Nartatez remained at their current posts as of yesterday.

In Resolution No. 2025-0531 issued on Thursday, the Napolcom said it has the power to review, approve, reverse or modify revamps implemented in the PNP.

“Whereas, despite the said issuances, 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,” a part of the resolution read.

Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla, who sits as Napolcom chairman, did not reply when asked for comment. The PNP also opted to remain mum on the issue.

Apart from Nartatez and Banac, the Napolcom ordered the reassignment of 11 other senior officials.

The Napolcom wants Maj. Gen. Robert  Alexander Morico II reassigned as National Capital Region Police Office director, from being the commander of the Area Police Command in the Visayas; Maj. Gen. Anthony Aberin from NCRPO director to Criminal Investigation and Detection Group director; and Brig. Gen.  Christopher Abrahano from CIDG director to officer-in-charge of the APC in the Visayas.

It also ordered Brig. Gen. Paul Kenneth Lucas recalled as NCRPO deputy regional director for administration and assigned back to his previous post as Calabarzon police director; Brig. Gen. Jack Wanky from Calabarzon director to NCRPO DRDA; and Brig. Gen. Arnold Ardiente from executive officer of the APC Visayas to Soccsksargen police director.

Also affected in the Napolcom order are Col. Hansel Marantan, from acting chief of the Peace Process and Development Center to Highway Patrol Group director; Col. Jonathan Abella, from the personnel holding and accounting unit to acting director of the Explosive Ordnance Disposal and Canine Group; and Arnold Rosero, whom the Napolcom wanted demoted from director to deputy director of the EOD-K9 Group.

Brig. Gen. Romeo Macapaz Jr. and Brig. Gen. William Segun, meanwhile, were ordered relieved by the Napolcom as Soccksargen police director and HPG chief, respectively.

The resolution was signed by Remulla along with Napolcom vice chairman and executive officer Rafael Vicente Calinisan and commissioners Ricardo Bernabe III, Beatrice Aurora Vega-Cancio and retired Brig. Gen. Josephus Angan.

Torre, who sits as Napolcom ex-officio commissioner, did not sign the resolution.

Groups support Torre

Following the Napolcom resolution, the PNP Academy Alumni Association Inc. expressed in a statement released yesterday its full support for Torre, who made history as the first PNP chief who graduated from the academy.

“We, the active uniformed personnel and retired officers of the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA) Alumni Association, Philippine National Police, Bureau of Fire Protection and Bureau of Jail Management and Penology stand united in our unwavering support for our first Lakan chief of the Philippine National Police,” the statement reads.

“His leadership is marked not only by authority, but by example – principled, compassionate and devoted to the welfare of the men and women in uniform and the Filipino people,” the statement declared.

The group stressed that Torre, despite the magnitude of the challenges he faces, continues to lead with courage, dignity and a clear vision for a professional, disciplined and people-centered police service.

The Cagayan Valley police office issued a similar call, noting Torre’s leadership and the “lawful” chain of authority that governs the PNP.

“We, the Valley Cops, recognize that unity of command, respect for lawful directives  and adherence to professional standards are indispensable to the fulfillment of our sworn duty to safeguard lives, uphold the law and serve the people,” the statement reads.

Several other manifestos were issued across commands to criticize the resolution that overturned Torre’s reshuffling order, with directors from all police regions as well as support units vowing to “uphold the chain of command, respect a single line of authority and obey all lawful orders” of the PNP chief.

The groups, which include the PNPA Patnubay Class of 1995 and the Association of Police Officers via Lateral Entry (APOLE), said the Napolcom resolution “blatantly violates the PNP chief’s statutory powers under Republic Acts 6975, 8551 and 9708, which grant him full operational control, direction and supervision” over the PNP.

They warned that bypassing or countermanding such authority without lawful cause is not only illegal but also corrosive to discipline and morale.

“This structure preserves organizational discipline and ensures that lawful directives are carried out with precision and respect,” APOLE said in a statement.