Marbil intends to use his term extension to improve PNP’s poll preps

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Rommel Marbil talks with reporters during the PNP Day celebration at Camp Crame, Quezon City on Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025. (File photo by JASON SIGALES | INQUIRER.net)

MANILA, Philippines — Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Gen. Rommel Marbil sees the extension of his term as the country’s top cop as a way to help the police force upgrade its preparations for the 2025 midterm elections.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. extended the PNP chief’s tenure for four more months, the Presidential Communications Office announced on Thursday morning.

“The [four-month] extension will help us refine and improve the preparations we made for the election,” Marbil said in a message to reporters in Camp Crame on Thursday.

“Thank you [to] our President for trusting and having confidence in the PNP under my leadership,” Marbil said.

READ: Marcos extends Marbil’s term for four months

The PNP chief was originally set to retire on Friday when he will then reach the mandatory retirement age of 56.

But the Malacañang memorandum said the president approved Marbil’s service beyond his retirement age.

“Yung buong PNP – yung men and women of the PNP – fully supports yung decision ng pangulo na i-extend yung termino ng ating Chief PNP,” PNP Spokesperson Brig. Gen. Jean Fajardo said in a press briefing in Camp Crame on Thursday.

(The entirety of the PNP – the men and women of the PNP – fully supports the decision of the president to extend the term of our Chief PNP.)

“Ang kanyang extension will not only be focused dito sa ating security preparations. May nakalatag na tayong mga programa, lalung-lalo na sa mga organizational structure na gustong ipatupad ng ating Chief PNP,” she added.

(His extension will not only be focused on our security preparations. We’ve already laid out programs, especially when it comes to the organizational structure that the Chief PNP wants to implement.)

In a separate statement, Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla said Marbil’s extension will “ensure stability” in the PNP.

READ: DILG’s Remulla ‘indicates’ PNP chief Marbil may extend post until June

Remulla said last Jan. 15 that there were “indications” Marbil may keep his post until June, citing the recent reshuffle in the national police force.

Marbil became the PNP’s leader in April 2024.