President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. already has his choice for the next Philippine National Police (PNP) chief, according to Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla. 好色先生TV file photo / RYAN LEAGOGO
MANILA, Philippines 鈥� President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has already chosen the next Philippine National Police (PNP) chief, according to Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla.
Current PNP Chief Gen. Rommel Marbil鈥檚 term is set to expire on June 7.
鈥淣ag-usap na kami. May napupusuan na siya. Pero, hintayin na lang natin yung announcement niya,鈥� Remulla said of Marcos in a press briefing at Camp Karingal in Quezon City on Monday.
(We鈥檝e already spoken. He already has someone in mind, but let鈥檚 wait for his announcement.)
When asked if he had recommended someone as a replacement for Marbil, Remulla answered, 鈥淣one. It鈥檚 his (Marcos) choice.鈥�
The PNP is an attached agency of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).
Marbil was first appointed as the PNP chief in April 2024.
He was set to step down upon reaching the retirement age last February, but Marcos extended Marbil鈥檚 term until June 7 in time for preparations for the 2025 national and local elections.
Among those in the running to replace Marbil as PNP chief are said to be PNP Deputy Chief for Administration Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr.; PNP Chief of the Directorial Staff Lt. Gen. Edgar Allan Okubo; Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) Director Maj. Gen. Nicolas Torre III, and National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) Director Maj. Gen. Anthony Aberin.
Remulla refused to name the president鈥檚 choice to lead the PNP.
READ: PNP chief Marbil hopes successor will continue police reforms
Reforms
Remulla said he will push for a law to amend Republic Act 6975, or the DILG Act, which reorganized the national police.
The interior secretary particularly cited that PNP chiefs are often replaced since they only serve until they reach the retirement age of 56.
READ: New DILG chief Remulla to propose PNP 鈥榮tructural changes鈥�
鈥淜ailangan natin mayroong continuing vision,鈥� Remulla said. 鈥淢y goal is that isa na lang yung mission statement, isa na lang yung directive, no matter who the Chief PNP is.鈥�
(We need a continuing vision鈥� My goal is for there to be only one mission statement, one directive, no matter who the Chief PNP is.)
鈥淭he world has changed and the law has to change with it,鈥� he added.