Getting to know new PNP chief Maj. Gen. Marbil

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 — Major General Rommel Francisco Marbil has been named the new head of the Philippine National Police (PNP), but aside from his current title, who is he, and what do we know about him?

The 30th PNP chief, who replaced Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr., is a graduate of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) “Sambisig” Class of 1991.

Marbil was born in Manila on February 7, 1969,  His term will end next year after he turns 56 — the mandatory retirement age in PNP.

Outside PNP, Marbil is a husband to Mary Rose and a father to daughter Robyn Marie.

Before becoming the national police chief, Marbil was the director of PNP’s Directorate for Comptrollership from May 2, 2023, to April 1, 2024.

He also served as the regional director of Eastern Visayas police from August 8, 2022, to May 2, 2023, and director of Highway Patrol Group from November 19, 2021, to August 8, 2022.

Before the pandemic, Marbil became the chief of staff of the Civil Security Group from 2019 to 2020 and director of the Agusan del Norte police way back in 2014 until 2015.

Records also showed that Marbil spent his early years in the service as the chief of the Force Intelligence Division of Special Action Force (2008 to 2009), chief of Bacoor City police (2004 to 2006), and commander of the Presidential Protection Security Force of United Nations Contingent in Liberia (2006 to 2007).