Torre officially out of PNP; Nartatez to get 4-star rank
The National Police Commission (Napolcom) has formally approved the retirement from the service of former Philippine National Police chief Gen. Nicolas Torre III who was appointed as Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) general manager last month.
Torre’s optional retirement from police service became official under General Order No. NHQ-GO-OR-2026-330 dated Jan. 19 issued by the PNP Directorate for Personnel and Records Management (DPRM).
“[Torre] is optionally retired from the PNP service effective Dec. 26, 2025 with 5th [longevity pay] and retirement benefits equivalent to his present rank as approved by the Napolcom Resolution No. 2026-0029 dated Jan. 19, 2026,” the order read.
With this development, acting PNP chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. is expected to be promoted to four-star status (police general), the rank traditionally held by a full-fledged PNP chief. Nartatez is a graduate of the Philippine Military Academy’s (PMA) Tanglaw-Diwa Class of 1992.
A member of the PNP Academy’s (PNPA) Tagapaglunsad Class of 1993, Torre was its first alumnus to become PNP chief. However, he served only from June 2 to Aug. 26 last year after he was removed from his post following a dispute with Napolcom over his reassignment of several senior police officials.
Floating status
Torre was later placed in the Personnel Holding and Accounting Unit under the DPRM pending a new assignment within the PNP.
The Napolcom had previously said that by accepting the MMDA post, Torre had “ipso facto” (by the very act) resigned from the police force.
Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla said that the formal promotion of Nartatez may be held next week, depending on the availability of President Marcos.
“The President has not set a schedule. He wants to be there for the donning of ranks. Maybe, the [ceremony may be held] anytime next week, along with the proper turnover,” he told reporters.
“We invited Gen. Torre to hand over the flag to Gen. Nartatez. We want to clear the air. We want the whole police force united,” Remulla said.
“We want to restore the ties between the PNPA and the PMA. We want the force to be united and above all, we want to show a stable police force,” he added.
