Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil has expressed his vision for a more civilian-oriented police force. Speaking in Manila, Marbil suggested revising Republic Act 6975 to modernize the PNP and align it more closely with civilian needs. He emphasized the necessity of transitioning from a hierarchical to a flatter organizational structure to enhance decision-making speed and accountability.
Marbil critiqued the current militaristic setup of the PNP, arguing that it is ill-suited for the force’s civilian responsibilities. He believes that a less hierarchical structure would improve local accountability, foster better community ties, and minimize bureaucratic delays that currently slow down the PNP’s responsiveness.
Despite acknowledging the progress made in internal discipline and operational systems, Marbil highlighted ongoing systemic challenges attributed to the PNP’s top-down command structure. He noted that this structure leads to operational inefficiencies, hampers grassroots innovation, and weakens individual officer accountability.
As he approaches his retirement on February 7, Marbil is pushing for a comprehensive reorganization of the PNP. He stressed that such a restructuring is crucial not only for operational efficiency but also for reinforcing the PNP’s role as a guardian of the public and a model of good governance. Marbil assumed his position as the 30th PNP chief on April 1, 2024.