Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Police General Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. described the shifting leadership of the national police force from Philippine Military Academy graduates to those of the Philippine National Police Academy as a natural evolution of the organization rather than the end of an era.

Speaking during the PMA Alumni Homecoming 2026 at Fort del Pilar, Nartatez, a member of the PMA “Tanglaw-Diwa” Class of 1992, stressed that the mission of the police force transcends the academic background of its leaders.

While he noted that he may be among the last members of the “Long Gray Line” to serve as the top police official, he welcomed the transition as a sign of growth and positive transformation within the 230,000-strong organization.

Nartatez credited his years at the academy for shaping his leadership style, which focuses on discipline and command responsibility. He remarked that the academy’s core values of courage, integrity, and loyalty serve as a necessary defense against corruption and apathy in a modern era marked by complex crimes and misinformation.

He further noted that the history of the police force is defined not only by its high-ranking officials but also by the sacrifices and daily dedication of personnel serving on the front lines.

The homecoming event at Borromeo Field drew 1,741 alumni, marking the highest turnout in the last five years. The attendees spanned several generations, ranging from 92-year-old Filoteo Arevalo of the Class of 1956 to 21-year-old Alexis Mison of the Class of 2025.