Rommel Francisco Marbil is new PNP chief

President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos has picked Police General Rommel Francisco Marbil as the new head of the Philippine National Police (PNP).

Marbil took over the police organization on Monday as the extension for the leadership of Police General Benjamin Acorda Jr. ended on Sunday.

“I hereby assume the position as Chief Philippine National Police effective April 1, 2024,” Marbil said during a change-of-command ceremony at Camp Crame, Quezon City.

Marbil was also promoted to the rank of Police General during the same ceremony.

Before his appointment as PNP chief, Marbil served as head of the PNP Directorate for Comptrollership (DC), director of Police Regional Office 8 in Eastern Visayas, and chief of PNP Highway Patrol Group.

He is a member of the Philippine Military Academy 'Sambisig' Class of 1991.

Marbil is expected to retire on February 7, 2025 when he reaches the mandatory retirement age of 56.

Marcos to PNP

In his speech during the change-of-command ceremony, Marcos called on the PNP to be more efficient in the performance of its duties.

“Let us ensure that the PNP will be agents of progressive transformation in the lives of our people by ensuring the safety and well-being of every community in the land,” he said.

Marcos also emphasized that Marbil had his full confidence and support in championing a police force of 230,000 that was pro-God, pro-country, pro-people, and pro-environment.

The President also vowed to work closely with the PNP in addressing emerging threats such as cybercrime, terrorism, and transnational crimes.

“We will continue to uphold the highest standards of professionalism and give the finest service to our beloved citizens,” Marcos said.

Marbil's plans

In his speech, Marbil said the PNP will focus on the quality of leadership, efforts against local and transnational crimes, as well as improving public trust.

“First, the quality of leadership, knowledge, ability, and professionalism within the ranks,” Marbil said.

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

“And third, but not the least, we will strive to increase the level of trust that the people we protect have in us. We will focus on increased community satisfaction in our work as a key benchmark of our progress.”

Marbil also pointed out the importance of officers exercising transparency and accountability in their job.

“We need officers who recognize that it is simply 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,” he said.

According to Marbil, one of the biggest challenges for the PNP is the development of technology infrastructures. To achieve this, he said there should be careful management and selection priorities.

“While I recognize that putting a comprehensive technology infrastructure in place is one of the major challenges for the PNP, I am confident that with careful management and selective priorities, we can achieve this goal in a timely fashion,” the new PNP said.

Acorda's term was supposed to have ended on December 3, 2023 when he reached the mandatory retirement age of 56. However, Marcos extended Acorda's service until March 2024.

Acorda was appointed PNP chief on April 24, 2023. —KBK/RSJ, GMA Integrated News