Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Police General Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. marked his first year leading the national police force, highlighting drops in major crime rates, thousands of internal disciplinary actions, and improved public trust metrics.

Speaking after a Thanksgiving Mass on 26 August at Camp Crame, Nartatez reflected on progress made while emphasizing that reforms across the 230,000-strong force remain an ongoing effort.

PNP data showed a 36.12 percent decrease in focus crimes — such as murder, robbery, and theft — in July 2026 compared to the same month last year.

Recent independent polling reflected gains in public sentiment, with 65 percent of respondents expressing trust in the PNP and 63 percent indicating satisfaction with its performance.

Internal accountability served as a central pillar of Nartatez’s initial year. The PNP dismissed more than 1,300 police personnel for grave offenses while resolving thousands of pending administrative cases.

Authorities also cleared or exonerated over 3,500 personnel following internal investigations.

Nartatez originally assumed leadership of the PNP as officer-in-charge on 26 August 2025.

The National Police Commission designated him acting chief two days later before President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. formally administered his oath and conferred his fourth star on 28 January 2026.

Moving into his second year, Nartatez stated that PNP operations will focus on sustaining crime reduction gains, increasing local community engagement, and enforcing strict oversight in line with directives from Marcos and Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla.