President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. administers the oath of office to General Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr. as full-fledged Chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP) in a formal ceremony held at the Malacañan Palace on Jan. 28, 2026. (Photo courtesy of PCO)
President Marcos has administered the oath-taking of General Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. as the new Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief.
With the oath-taking ceremony held at the Malacañan Palace on Wednesday, Jan. 28, Nartatez officially obtained the 4-star general rank.
Marcos congratulated Nartatez for taking on his role as PNP Chief and expressed support as he tackles the responsibilities and challenges under his office.
“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 excellence in leadership within the police force),” Palace Press Officer and Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said in a press briefing.
Castro said the President also acknowledged the critical role of the PNP in supporting the administration’s efforts in maintaining peace and order, and security in the country.
Nartatez has previously served in various leadership positions including as PNP Deputy Chief for Administration from 2024 to 2025; National Capital Region Police Office Director from 2023 to 2024; Regional Director of Police Regional Office IV-A Calabarzon from 2022 to 2023; and as Ilocos Norte Police Provincial Office Director from 2016 to 2018.
The new PNP Chief has held multiple key positions in the PNP since he joined the police force in 1992, including as Director for Comptrollership and Intelligence; member of the elite PNP Special Action Force; and as member of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group.
In 2006, Nartatez was promoted to the rank of Police Lieutenant Colonel.
Nartatez is a member of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Tanglaw-Diwa Class of 1992.
He holds a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP).