Marbil sets sights on more efficient PNP

Major General Rommel Francisco Marbil takes his oath as the 30th Philippine National Police Chief during a ceremony in Camp Crame, Quezon City, on Monday, April 1, 2024. (Screengrab from RTV Malacańang)

MANILA, Philippines — Newly-appointed Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Maj. Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil on Monday said that he aims to improve the efficacy of the police force under his watch. 

Marbil revealed that the PNP will focus on pruning its ranking officials and finding more effective ways to enforce the law. 

“To increase our effectiveness as an organization and as individual law enforcers, we will focus on three things: First, the quality of leadership, knowledge, ability, and professionalism within the ranks,” Marbil said during the change of command ceremony in Camp Crame, Quezon City. 

“Second is expanding our ability to uphold the law, maintain order, and fight local and transnational crimes in all its forms and manifestations. To this end, we commit to utilizing the best and innovative practices in law enforcement,” he added. 

Marbil said he also plans to enhance the PNP’s partnership with the local government and communities to help the police force gain more trust from the public. 

“We will focus on increased community satisfaction in our work as a key benchmark of our progress. We will work on enhanced partnerships with the local community because safety and order ultimately require our collaborative efforts,” he said.

He also highlighted the importance of recruiting or having police officers who possess “critical thinking and problem-solving skills,” especially in the war against crime. 

“We need officers who recognize that it is not enough to act decisively, relentlessly, and fast in the war against crime but that there must also be accountability and transparency on our end. And most importantly, we will nurture police officers to whom a humane approach to law enforcement is a given,” Marbil said. 

“Investing in you is an investment in the future of the Philippine National Police. Remember, we are mentors, teachers, trainers, and leaders by example to the incoming generation of police officers who will one day take our place,” he added. 

Marbil replaced General Benjamin Acorda Jr. He will serve as the 30th police chief and the third under the Marcos administration. 

Before his appointment, Marbil served as the officer-in-charge of the institution’s Directorate for Comptrollership, police director of Eastern Visayas, and Highway Patrol Group, among others.

Marbil’s term will end on February 7, 2025, when he turns 56.