MANILA – The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Wednesday welcomed the possible term extension of its current chief, Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil, who is up for retirement next month.
“For one this will not be the first time that a sitting chief PNP will be extended. This is not new to the PNP hierarchy,” PNP spokesperson and Central Luzon Police chief Brig. Gen. Jean Fajardo said in a press briefing at Camp Crame on Wednesday.
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Monday said he is considering extending Marbil’s term as PNP chief, noting that the argument for it is “very strong” amid the election season.
Citing Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jonvic Remulla, Fajardo said there are “strong indications” that Marbil’s term will be extended.
“Our SILG (Secretary of the Interior and Local Government) mentioned it last week that there are strong indications that our chief PNP will be extended at least up to the election period, and I’ve heard also and seen the President mentioned [that] there is a strong argument with respect to the extension of our chief PNP,” Fajardo said.
Fajardo noted that it would be “quite difficult” to change the police force’s leadership while preparations for the May 12 elections are in full swing.
“But regardless whether he will be extended or not, the PNP is ready to provide the necessary security coverage for the election,” she said.
Remulla earlier said Marcos will make a final decision on Marbil’s fate before February 7, when he reaches the mandatory retirement age of 56. He also said Marbil could remain in his post until June.
Marbil, a member of the Philippine Military Academy Sambisig Class of 1991, was named the country’s 30th PNP chief on April 1, 2024.
Remulla said there is already a list of officials who might succeed Marbil.
Several senior officers are qualified to be the next PNP chief, including PNP deputy chief for administration Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez, acting PNP deputy chief for operations Lt. Gen. Robert Rodriguez, PNP chief directorial staff Lt. Gen. Maj. Gen. Edgar Alan Okubo, and Criminal Investigation and Detection Group chief Brig. Gen. Nicolas Torre III. (PNA)