MANILA – Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil on Wednesday said he is pushing for the police force to be more “civilian-centric.”
In a statement, Marbil proposed amending Republic Act 6975, or the Department of the Interior and Local Government Act of 1990, to transform the PNP into a “modern, civilian-centric police force.”
“The PNP needs to adopt a flatter structure instead of a hierarchical one,” Marbil said. “A flatter organization will allow quicker decision-making and ensure firmer accountability.”
He said the PNP’s current structure was designed for a militarized force but its civilian mandate requires a fundamentally different approach.
A flatter structure, Marbil said, would “enhance local accountability, build stronger community relationships, and reduce bureaucratic delays that hinder the PNP’s responsiveness.”
While acknowledging the successes of past reforms, particularly in strengthening internal disciplinary mechanisms, the country’s top cop pointed out that “deeper systemic issues persist” largely due to the PNP’s hierarchical and militaristic structure.
“We have made great strides with reforms in discipline and operational systems, but reorganization is the next logical step to cure the age-old systemic flaws,” Marbil said.
He pointed out that the existing “utos sa taas” or top-down directive culture creates operational bottlenecks, stifles grassroots innovation, and dilutes individual accountability among officers.
By streamlining the organization, Marbil said officers will be better empowered to make timely and effective decisions.
Marbil, who is set to retire next month, called for a significant organizational overhaul of the PNP, asserting that “it’s about time that reorganization, not reforms, be given due notice.”
“Reorganizing the PNP is not just about improving operational efficiency; it’s about ensuring that we uphold our role as protectors of the people and exemplars of good governance,” he said.
Marbil was named the country’s 30th PNP chief on April 1, 2024. He is set to retire on February 7 upon reaching the mandatory retirement age of 56. (PNA)