Senate President Pro Tempore and former Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson on Wednesday congratulated PNP Chief Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. on the formal conferment of his four-star rank.
Lacson, who headed the PNP from 1999 to 2001, described as “overdue” the promotion of Nartatez, who served as his police aide-de-camp when he had the same position at the time.
“Time really flies. 26 years ago, four-star Police General Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. was my police aide-de-camp when I had the same position and responsibility that he now carries. Truly proud of him,” he said on his X account.
In Filipino: Lacson, Binati ang Dating Aide at Ngayo’y PNP Chief Nartatez sa ‘Overdue’ na Ikaapat na Bituin
“His promotion is overdue, having been delayed by the issue raised by former Chief PNP and ‘deemed resigned’ P/Gen. Nicolas Torre III upon his appointment and oath-taking as Metropolitan Manila Development Authority General Manager last December 19 and 26 respectively,” added Lacson, under whose watch the PNP gained the trust and support of the public.
On Wednesday, Nartatez formally received his fourth star and the rank of Police General, the highest in the PNP.
This ended a months-long situation where Torre held the rank even after he was relieved of his post as PNP chief in August 2025.
Lacson earlier noted that Nartatez has big shoes to fill as PNP chief, and that leadership by example remains the key to ensuring discipline in the PNP, as it would give him the moral authority to tell his personnel not to extort or be involved in criminal activities.
“He knows my style as Chief PNP. And I hope he with the assistance and guidance of the Interior Secretary will help discipline the police force just as I did in going after the ICU – inept, corrupt and undisciplined police officers,” he added.
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Lacson, Binati ang Dating Aide at Ngayo’y PNP Chief Nartatez sa ‘Overdue’ na Ikaapat na Bituin
Binati ni Senate President Pro Tempore at dating Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson si PNP Chief Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. sa pormal na paggawad sa kanya ng ikaapat na “bituin” nitong Miyerkules.
Ani Lacson, na namuno sa PNP mula 1999 hanggang 2001, “overdue” ang promotion ni Nartatez, na nagsilbi noon bilang kanyang police aide-de-camp nang hawak niya ang parehong posisyon sa panahong iyon.
“Time really flies. 26 years ago, four-star Police General Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. was my police aide-de-camp when I had the same position and responsibility that he now carries. Truly proud of him,” ani Lacson sa kanyang X account.
“His promotion is overdue, having been delayed by the issue raised by former Chief PNP and ‘deemed resigned’ P/Gen. Nicolas Torre III upon his appointment and oath-taking as Metropolitan Manila Development Authority General Manager last December 19 and 26 respectively,” dagdag ni Lacson. Nakuha ng PNP ang tiwala at suporta ng taumbayan sa pamumuno ni Lacson.
Nitong Miyerkules, pormal na iginawad kay Nartatez ang kanyang ikaapat na bituin at ang ranggong Police General, ang pinakamataas na ranggo sa PNP.
Tinuldukan nito ang ilang buwang sitwasyon kung saan hawak pa rin ni Torre ang naturang ranggo kahit inalis na siya sa pwesto bilang PNP chief noong Agosto 2025.
Nauna nang sinabi ni Lacson na malalaking tungkulin ang kakaharapin ni Nartatez bilang PNP chief, at nananatiling susi ang pamumuno sa pamamagitan ng halimbawa upang matiyak ang disiplina sa hanay ng PNP, dahil nagbibigay ito ng moral authority upang utusan ang mga tauhan na huwag mangikil o masangkot sa mga gawaing kriminal.
“Alam niya ang style ko noon as Chief PNP and I hope he with the assistance and guidance of the DILG Secretary, pagtulungan talaga i-disiplinahin ang pulis. Kasi ang inuna ko talagang ang tawag ko ICU, inept, corrupt, and undisciplined police officers,” diin ni Lacson.
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