Philippine National Police chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. is set to assume the four-star rank after the command approved the optional retirement availed by former PNP chief Nicolas Torre III, sources at Camp Crame said Wednesday.

In General Order No. NHQ-GO-OR-2026-330 dated 19 January and obtained by DAILY TRIBUNE, Torre’s optional retirement from PNP service, effective 26 December 2025, was approved by the National Police Commission. The order was signed by P/Maj. Gen. Constancio Chinayog, director for personnel and records management.

Torre, now general manager of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, belongs to the Philippine National Police Academy and is due to reach his compulsory retirement on 27 March, the same date as Nartatez, a member of the Philippine Military Academy.

With Torre’s retirement approved, Nartatez is expected to be formally appointed as PNP chief and elevated to the rank of four-star general, the highest rank in the police force.

Sources said dress rehearsals have been conducted at Camp Crame in anticipation of a turnover of command in the coming days, pending the appointment and conferment of rank by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr..

Camp sources noted that Torre continues to be regarded as a general in his current capacity as MMDA general manager.