The National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) reversed the appointments made by Philippine National Police chief Police General Nicolas Torre III on key officials.

NAPOLCOM’s issued a Resolution 2025-0531 dated August 14, directing the return of Police Lieutenant General Jose Melencio Nartatez as Deputy Chief for Administration and Police Lieutenant General Bernard Banac as commander of the Area Police Command (APC) Western Mindanao.

Likewise, NAPOLCOM ordered the PNP to immediately issue corresponding orders with regard to the movement of these officials:

• Police Major General Robert Alexander Morico II – from APC Visayas Commander to NCPRO Regional Director
• Police Major General Anthony Aberin – from NCPRO Regional Director to CIDG Director
• Police Brigadier General Christopher Abrahano – from CIDG Acting Director to Officer-in-Charge, APC Visayas
• Police Brigadier General Paul Kenneth Lucas – from Deputy Regional Director for Administration of NCRPO to Regional Director of PRO4-A
• Police Brigadier General Jack Wanky – from Regional Director of PRO4-A to Deputy Regional Director for Administration of NCRPO
• Police Brigadier General Romeo Macapaz – from Regional Director, PRO 12 to Personnel Holding and Accounting Unit
• Police Brigadier General Arnold Ardiente – from Ex-O, APC Visayas to Regional Director, PRO 12
• Police Brigadier General William Segun – from Director, Highway Patrol Group to Personnel Holding and Accounting Unit
• Police Colonel Hansel Marantan – from Acting Chief, Peace Process And Development Center, OCPNP to Director, Highway Patrol Group
• Police Colonel Jonathan Abella – from Personnel Holding and Accounting Unit to Acting Director, EOD K9
• Police Colonel Arnold Rosero – from Acting Director, EOD K9 to Deputy Director for Administration, EOD K9.

NAPOLCOM cited Section 6, Article XVI of the 1987 Constitution that provides that the State shall establish and maintain one police force, “to be administered and controlled by a national police commission.”

“While the powers to designate, assign, reassign Police Commissioned Officers to third-level positions are vested in the Chief, PNP under Section 26 of Republic Act 6975, the power to review, approve, reverse, or modify such acts is within the authority of the NAPOLCOM,” the resolution said.

It noted that Torre’s latest appointments did not pass through the NAPOLCOM En Banc, which is headed by Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla.

“[A]ny designation, assignments, reassignments without prior review and confirmation of the NAPOLCOM shall be deemed ineffective,” it added. ”Non-compliance with the requirements…shall subject accountable officers to administrative sanctions.”

Despite the resolution, several Police Regional Offices have expressed their support for Torre.

”The men and women of NCRPO express unshakeable support to the Chief, Philippine National Police and all of his legally-issued administrative and operational directives pursuant to the lawful exercise of his mandate as the duly-appointed leader of the country’s police force,” the NCRPO said.

”We firmly recognize that your directives, including necessary command adjustments, are fully aligned with Section 26 of Republic Act 6975 (The DILG Act of 1990). These actions are not only lawful but essential in ensuring an efficient, disciplined, and mission-ready police force,” the Police Regional Office CAR added.

Torre has not yet issued a statement about the NAPOLCOM’s decision.