Napolcom order raises ruckus in Camp Crame
The National Police Commission (Napolcom) has ordered the reversal of recent reassignments announced by the Philippine National Police (PNP), again raising tedious legal issues between the two agencies and possibly derailing the reforms implemented by incumbent PNP chief Gen. Nicolas Torre III.
Lawyer Rafael Calinisan, Napolcom vice chairperson and executive officer, confirmed on Friday that Napolcom Resolution No. 2025-0531, dated Aug. 14, reinstated Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. as PNP deputy chief for administration and Banac as APC Western Mindanao commander.
The Napolcom resolution also directed the transfer of 11 other officers to and from high ranking positions at PNP’s Camp Crame headquarters and other key police offices across the country.
Power trip
“The Napolcom hereby directs the PNP to immediately issue corresponding orders implementing the above designations, assignments and reassignments,” read the copy obtained by the Inquirer and verified by Calinisan.
Both the Napolcom and PNP are technically under the Department of Interior and Local Government, but the PNP chief, directly appointed by the President, usually reports directly to Mr. Marcos.
“Any designation, assignments [and] reassignments without prior review and confirmation of the Napolcom shall be deemed ineffective,” it added. “Non-compliance with the requirements herein prescribed shall subject accountable officers to administrative sanctions.”
No PNP official, including Torre, has made any official comment on the matter, but a flurry of statements, some citing anonymous officials, has emerged following the Napolcom resolution.
The PNP Academy Alumni Association Inc. (PNPAAAI), released a statement on Friday expressing its full support for Torre, the first PNP Academy graduate to become PNP chief.
“We, the active uniformed personnel and retired officers of the (PNPAAAI), from the Philippine National Police, Bureau of Fire Protection and Bureau of Jail Management and Penology stand united in our unwavering support,” it said.
“With steadfast loyalty and a shared sense of duty, we pledge our wholehearted support to his leadership. We will work alongside him in pursuing the goals of the PNP, safeguarding truth and justice, and preserving the integrity and pride of the profession to which we have devoted our service,” it said.
All 18 regional police chiefs across the country signed a manifesto of support on Friday for “the line of authority” and for Torre.
Respect chain of command
“We affirm our commitment to uphold the chain of command, respect the single line of authority, and obey all lawful orders of our superiors in the faithful discharge of our sworn duties and responsibilities as members of the PNP,” the manifesto said.
In Camp Crame, unnamed officials also questioned the authority of the Napolcom to issue resolutions empowering itself to meddle in PNP assignments and reassignments.
The unnamed officials cited a supposed Supreme Court decision, titled “Ledesma vs Court of Appeals (1997),” but the Inquirer could not verify the citation without a General Record (GR) number.
In the assailed resolution, Napolcom cited its authority to exercise administrative control and operational supervision over the PNP under Republic Act No. 6975, or the Department of the Interior and Local Government Act of 1990.
Napolcom also cited its Napolcom Resolution No. 2022-473, which said the PNP must first have the placement of officers in third-level positions be reviewed and confirmed by the commission.
“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,” Napolcom explained.
But aside from the Constitution and RA 6975, there are also RA 8551 (PNP Reform & Professionalization Act of 1998) and a slew of resolutions both issued by the Napolcom and the PNP.
Reporters in Camp Crame have sought further comment from the PNP, but it has yet to respond. The PNP has not issued any order since the Napolcom Resolution No. 2025-0531.
