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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider New HPG chief named after sexual harassment controversy

New HPG chief named after sexual harassment controversy

Published Mar 26, 2026 10:30 am
Police Brig. Gen. Rommel Batangan was named as the new head of the Highway Patrol Group (HPG) after the resignation of his predecessor over a sexual harassment complaint.
Gen. Jose Melencio C. Nartatez, Jr., chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP), approved the designation of Batangan in an order dated March 26 following the announcement made by the National Police Commission (Napolcom) of the complaints it received against a police general.
Napolcom earlier named then HPG director Brig. Gen. Jessie Tamayao as a respondent in the administrative cases filed by a female HPG police officer who accused the official of sexual advances.
In the complaint filed before the Napolcom Inspection, Monitoring and Investigation Service (IMIS), the female officer is seeking the dismissal of Tamayao for alleged violations of Republic Act No. 7877 (Anti-Sexual Harassment Act of 1995) and Republic Act No. 10173 (Data Privacy Act of 2012).
But Tamayao denied the allegations and vowed to clear his name over the allegation which he described as “a personal vendetta the reason of which I am not aware.”
“I firmly deny the allegations. I can only deduce this is a personal vendetta the reason of which I am not aware. However, I recognize the gravity of such a complaint and the importance of maintaining the public's trust in the integrity of our office,” said Tamayao in a statement
“My decision to resign is not an admission of guilt, but a demonstration of my commitment to due process and the institutional reputation of the Philippine National Police. By stepping down, I aim to remove any perception of influence or conflict of interest while the proper authorities perform their duties,” he added.

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