THE National Police Commission (Napolcom) yesterday approved the designation of 12 ranking police officials, including Lt. Gen. Bernard Banac as the acting PNP deputy chief for administration, the second-highest post in the police force.
In a resolution, Napolcom also designated Maj. Gen. Robert Alexander Morico as the acting director of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, while Maj. Gen. Anthony Aberin was named the director of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO).
The others were Brig. Gen. Christopher Abrahano, officer-in-charge of the Area Police Command-Visayas; Brig. Gen. Paul Kenneth Lucas, Calabarzon police regional office director; Brig. Gen. Jack Wanky, deputy director for administration of the NCRPO.
Brig. Gen. Romeo Macapaz and Brig. Gen. William Segun were assigned to the Personnel Holding and Accounting Unit, Brig. Gen. Arnold Ardiente, director of the Soccsksargen police regional office; Col. Hansel Marantan, acting director of the Highway Patrol Group; Col. Jonathan Abella, acting director of the Explosives and Ordnance Disposal (EOD) K9 Group; and Col. Arnold Rosero, deputy chief for administration of EOD K9 Group.
The resolution modified the order issued a few weeks ago by former PNP chief Nicolas Torre III, assigning senior officials to key posts.
Napolcom questioned Torre’s order because it lacked consultation with the agency. Napolcom issued a resolution last August 14 ordering the PNP to set aside the order.
In yesterday’s resolution, Napolcom said Torre “was relieved as Chief PNP without implementing the said (August 14) resolution.”
Torre was replaced by Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr., who took over as PNP officer-in-charge last August 26, a day after President Marcos Jr. relieved Torre.
In a statement, Napolcom said: “This latest round of appointments reflects Napolcom’s continuing exercise of its power of control over the PNP, aimed at ensuring strong leadership, efficient command, and effective law enforcement across the country.”
In another resolution dated August 27, Napolcom “affirmed” the designation of Nartatez as acting PNP chief. It said the designation was “necessary.”
As acting PNP chief, Napolcom said Nartatez is “fully vested with legal authority to exercise and discharge all powers, prerogatives, and responsibilities of the Chief of the PNP.”
Napolcom vice chairman and executive officer Rafael Vicente Calinisan said the move “underscores Napolcom’s constitutional mandate to administer and control the PNP and ensures the continuity of leadership at the helm of the national police force.”
Nartatez welcomed the Napolcom resolutions, saying: “We thank President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and the Napolcom for the trust and confidence vested in me and our senior officers.
“These affirmations and confirmations guarantee stability in leadership and continuity in service,” added Nartatez.
In a statement, the PNP Public Information Office said that with the affirmation of Nartatez as acting PNP chief and the confirmation of the designation of the 12 senior officials, “the organization stands united, prepared, and committed to ensuring peace, order, and security for the Filipino people.”
