PNP open to streamlining as SILG Remulla mulls fewer generals

The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Wednesday said it is open to consultation for the streamlining of the police organization, after Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla said he is recommending reducing the number of PNP generals from over 130 to 25.

“[The Chief PNP Police General Rommel Marbil] fully supports yung kanyang desire to streamline and to further improve yung administrative and operational capabilities ng PNP,” PNP spokesperson Police Brigadier General Jean Fajardo said in a press briefing.

(The Chief PNP Police General Rommel Marbil fully supports Remulla’s desire to streamline and to further improve the administrative and operational capabilities of the PNP.)

“This is precisely the reason if you may recall a few days ago ay naglabas mismo ng statement ng ating CPNP appealing sa ating mga mambabatas to review and to restudy 'yung three decades old na batas,” she added.

"(This is precisely the reason if you may recall a few days ago our CPNP issued a statement appealing to our laws to review and restudy the three decades old law.)

Fajardo was referring to Marbil's appeal to amend Republic Act 6975 or the law establishing the PNP, to address what he considers its organizational flaws.

Fajardo also noted that there are now new specialized cases like in cybercrime as well as violence against women and children.

“The PNP is really pushing for the amendment ng batas po natin to conform sa current environment ng PNP,” she said.

Fajardo said the PNP currently has 111 generals.

On Tuesday, Remulla said trimming the ''top-heavy'' police organization is among the priorities of his leadership in the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).

''That's my plan... It's still a plan, that's one of my recommendations, to flatten the organization,'' Remulla said.

''There are a lot of generals without commands. Mayroon tayong APC, area police commands, na wala naman tao sa ilalim nila. So marami tayong lugar na redundancies na kailangan i-trim down. It's a 32-year-old law na kailangan bisitahin ulit,'' he added. — BM, GMA Integrated News