'Leadership change tested PNP stability'

With the government drowning in widespread corruption in flood control deals, describing 2025 as a challenging year for the Philippine National Police (PNP) is an understatement.

- By EMMANUEL TUPAS

Aside from protecting the Marcos administration from destabilization threats, the PNP faced a sudden leadership change that tested its stability.

Scalawags that tainted the public image of the police force were also dealt with.

Acting PNP chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez has been steering the 230,000-strong police force since August.

As of late November, Nartatez signed dismissal orders for 428 police officers who committed grave offenses such as robbery, extortion, moonlighting and drug use.

Nartatez ordered the filing of administrative cases against a police corporal who tested positive for drug use in Palompon, Leyte.

In December, six operatives of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group were sacked from their posts after allegedly stealing part of the P141 million seized during last year’s raid at Central One in Bataan.

Nine police officers from Navotas were relieved for allegedly torturing a murder suspect.

Seventy-one police officers were demoted while 448 were suspended for less grave offenses.