Jose Melencio Nartatez

Jose Melencio Corpuz Nartatez Jr. (born March 19, 1971) is a Filipino police officer who has served as the 32nd Chief of the Philippine National Police since January 28, 2026, following the removal of Former PNP Chief Nicolas Torre from office. Nartatez has become notable for botching the arrest of Senator Bato Dela Rosa.

Early life and education Jose Melencio Corpuz Nartatez Jr. was born on March 19, 1971, in Santa, Ilocos Sur, Philippines. He accomplished his primary and secondary education in Metro Manila. He entered the Philippine Military Academy in 1988 and graduated as a member of the Tanglaw-Diwa Class of 1992, the last PMA batch eligible to become PNP chief.

Early police career Nartatez has held several key positions within the Philippine National Police. He previously served as director of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO), regional director of Calabarzon police, and Ilocos Norte provincial police chief.

Key Positions Member, PNP Special Action Force Member, PNP-CIDG Provincial Director, Ilocos Norte Police Provincial Office Director, PNP Finance Service Regional Director, Police Regional Office 4A CALABARZON Director, Directorate for Comptrollership Director, Directorate for Intelligence Regional Director, National Capital Region Police Office Deputy Chief PNP for Administration Commander, Area Police Command - Western Mindanao Officer-in-Charge/Acting Chief, PNP Chief, PNP

Chief of the Philippine National Police (since 2026) Acting PNP Chief (2025 - 2026) Nartatez was appointed on August 26, 2025, Officer in Charge Chief of the Philippine National Police, following the relief of Police General Nicolas Torre III. His appointment was confirmed by Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla and Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin. On September 1, 2025, Nartatez was affirmed as Acting PNP chief. He became a 4-star Police General on January 28, 2026, after Torre officially retired on January 19.

PNP Chief (since 2026) President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. led the donning of rank of PNP Chief Gen. Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr. in Malacañang on January 28, 2026.

Nartatez was officially appointed as the Chief of the Philippine National Police on January 28, 2026 by President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.

According to former senator Antonio Trillanes, Nartatez had concrete knowledge of the International Criminal Court warrant against incumbent senator Ronald dela Rosa, a former PNP chief during the Philippine drug war, as early as November 2025, and stated that "not once did he form a tracking team to look for these people."

Awards and decorations