MANILA, Philippines — Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief General Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. is scheduled to officially receive his fourth star on Wednesday, January 28, 2026, marking his formal ascension to the highest rank in the country’s police force.
The promotion ceremony, to be held at Camp Crame, follows his appointment as the 31st PNP Chief in 2025 and solidifies his leadership as the organization navigates a complex political and internal reform landscape.
Promotion Significance In the PNP hierarchy, the rank of Police General (four stars) is reserved exclusively for the Chief of the PNP. Nartatez, who previously served as the Regional Director of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO), has been operating as the acting or designated chief pending this formal rank adjustment.
- The Ceremony: The “oath-taking and donning of ranks” ceremony is traditionally presided over by the President or the Secretary of the Interior and Local Government.
- Leadership Tenure: Nartatez is expected to lead the 232,000-strong police force through the critical 2026 mid-term period, focusing on internal cleansing and the professionalization of the ranks.
Key Priorities for 2026 Since taking the helm, Nartatez has emphasized several core pillars for his administration:
- Internal Cleansing: Continuing the “relentless” campaign against “scalawags” in uniform, particularly those linked to illegal drugs or the recent flood-control budgeting scandal.
- Modernization: Overseeing the procurement of body-worn cameras and advanced digital forensics equipment to enhance transparency and investigative capabilities.
- ICC Cooperation: Nartatez recently made headlines by stating that the PNP is “free to cooperate” with the International Criminal Court (ICC) regarding investigations into the previous administration’s drug war, a significant shift in the agency’s stance.
- Discipline and Accountability: Implementing stricter “one-strike” policies for unit commanders whose subordinates are involved in criminal activities.
A Career Official Nartatez is a member of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) “Tanglaw-Diwa” Class of 1992. Before becoming the nation’s top cop, he held various high-profile positions, including Director for Intelligence and Comptroller, gaining a reputation as a “strict disciplinarian” with a deep understanding of police logistics and finance.
His promotion comes at a time when the PNP is also deeply involved in investigating the “BBM Parametric Formula” scandal and providing security for high-profile legal proceedings involving former government officials. The donning of the fourth star is seen by many in the service as a stabilization of the PNP leadership amid these national challenges.