President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Wednesday administered the oath of office to General Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr. as the new Chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP in a formal ceremony at Malacañan Palace.

Marcos congratulated Nartatez and expressed his support as the new police chief assumes the responsibilities and challenges of leading the country’s police force.

“Nagpaabot ng pagbati at suporta ang Pangulo kay General Nartatez para sa kanyang husay sa pamumuno sa hanay ng kapulisan (The President extended his congratulations and support to General Nartatez for his demonstrated leadership within the police ranks),” Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said in a press briefing.

Castro said the President also underscored the crucial role of the PNP in advancing the administration’s efforts to maintain peace and order and ensure national security.

Nartatez brings decades of experience to the post, having served in several key leadership positions within the police organization. 

Prior to his appointment as PNP chief, he was PNP Deputy Chief for Administration from 2024 to 2025. 

He also served as Director of the National Capital Region Police Office from 2023 to 2024, Regional Director of Police Regional Office IV-A (Calabarzon) from 2022 to 2023, and Director of the Ilocos Norte Police Provincial Office from 2016 to 2018.

Since joining the police force in 1992, Nartatez has held multiple strategic assignments, including Director for Comptrollership and Intelligence. 

He was also part of the elite PNP Special Action Force and served with the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group.

In 2006, Nartatez was promoted to the rank of Police Lieutenant Colonel in recognition of his exceptional service.

The new PNP chief is a member of the Philippine Military Academy Tanglaw-Diwa Class of 1992 and holds a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from the Polytechnic University of the Philippines.