PNP chief’s term extended until June
Credit to Author: Emmanuel Tupas| Date: Fri, 7 Feb 2025 00:00:00 +0800
MANILA, Philippines — President Marcos has extended the term of Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil by four months as the government gears up for the midterm polls.
Marbil was supposed to bow out of the service on Feb. 7 upon reaching the compulsory retirement age of 56 in the PNP.
Marcos approved the extension of Marbil’s government service beyond compulsory retirement, according to a memorandum signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin on Feb. 4.
The memorandum was addressed to Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla.
Last month, Remulla said the holding of the 2025 midterm polls was the biggest reason to extend the PNP chief’s term. Things cannot be shaken up in the police force because the campaign period is about to start, he added.
The campaign period for this year’s elections will start on Feb. 11.
Marbil, the 30th chief of the country’s 232,000-strong police force, is a graduate of the Philippine Military Academy “Sambisig” class of 1991. He assumed the post on April 1, 2024.
The police chief led the PNP Directorate for Comptrollership and served as director of Police Regional Office 8 and the Highway Patrol Group.
“His tenure as police chief has been marked by initiatives in law enforcement modernization and crime prevention,” the Presidential Communications Office said yesterday.
After the President extended his term for four more months, Marbil vowed to further improve security preparations for the midterm elections in May.
Marbil thanked Marcos for his trust and confidence in his leadership in navigating the police force during the election period.
To reciprocate Marcos’ gesture, Marbil gave assurance that they will do everything to ensure the upcoming elections are secure, free from violence and credible.
“The four months extension will help us refine and improve the preparations we made for the election,” Marbil told reporters via Viber.
The PNP also expressed its support to the President’s decision extending Marbil’s term.
Brig. Gen. Jean Fajardo, concurrent PNP spokesperson and Central Luzon police director, said they fully support Marcos’ decision, stressing it is the President’s sole prerogative to determine who will lead the police force.
The Department of the Interior and Local Government also expressed full support for Marbil’s extended term, with Remulla saying it will “ensure stability in the PNP, especially in the preparations for the upcoming national and local elections in May this year.”
Up to 33,143 police officers were promoted to higher ranks yesterday, which the PNP initiated in recognition of their exemplary service to the public.
PNP chief Marbil led simultaneous oath-taking, pinning and donning of ranks for newly promoted second level uniformed personnel at Camp Crame in Quezon City. Similar activities were also held in the PNP’s police regional offices across the country.
Among them are 505 officers who were promoted to the rank of major, 916 to the rank of captain and 810 who were promoted to lieutenants.
Also, 3,189 police officers were promoted to executive master sergeant, 3,359 to chief master sergeant, 4,876 to senior master sergeant, 9,712 to master sergeant, 2,987 to staff sergeant and 6,789 to corporal.
At Camp Crame, 1,564 newly promoted officers took their oath of office before Marbil at the PNP Transformation Oval.
In his speech, Marbil reminded the police officers their promotion is not just about adding stripes or stars in their uniform but a testament to their dedication, hard work and commitment to public service.
“Let this promotion inspire you to uphold the highest standards of responsible policing and serve as role models for those who will follow in your footsteps,” Marbil said. – Christine Boton