Marcos to PNP chief: Address new threats

(UPDATE) PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday challenged newly installed Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil to address emerging threats and “champion a police that is pro-God, pro-country, pro-people, [and] pro-environment” in line with his vision of a new Philippines.

During the PNP’s change of command ceremony in Camp Crame, the Commander in Chief called on Marbil to foster closer collaboration between the 232,000-strong organization and his administration to address cybercrime, terrorism and transnational crimes.

“Police General Marbil, you have my full confidence and my full support as you begin to champion a police that is pro-God, pro-country, pro-people, pro-environment. Let us work closely… in addressing emerging threats, such as cybercrime, terrorism, and transnational crimes,” he said.

“We shall continue to uphold the highest standards of professionalism and give the finest service to our beloved citizens. Let us now 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 added.

CHANGE OF COMMAND President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Interior Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. with Philippine National Police chief Maj. Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil. PHOTO BY RENE H. DILAN

Marbil took over from Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr., who officially retired from service on March 31, three months after his tour of duty was extended by the President.

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Malacañang earlier designated the PNP’s deputy chief for administration LtGen. Emmanuel Baloloy Peralta, the most senior official after Acorda in the command group, as PNP officer in charge.

Peralta’s time in that role lasted less than 24 hours.

Acorda, Marbil and Peralta all belong to the Philippine Military Academy’s (PMA) “Sambisig” Class of 1991.

Marbil will serve as the top policeman until February 2025.

Marcos said he expects the PNP to remain vigilant amid all challenges and opportunities to keep the country peaceful and safe.

“The PNP’s efforts in combating various forms of crime have yielded tangible results, which exhibit the diligence of our officers and personnel, as well as the effectiveness of our programs,” he said.

“Let us remain vigilant in the face of challenges and opportunities as we strive to build a Bagong Pilipinas where everyone can thrive and live in peace,” he added.

“Let us now 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 added.

Before being named PNP chief, Marbil headed the Directorate for Comptrollership. He also headed the Eastern Visayas regional police and the PNP Highway Patrol Group.

Leadership by example

At the turnover ceremony in Camp Crame, Marbil vowed to fight new, evolving forms of criminality that are exploiting modern technology to prey on potential victims.

“Leadership by example will be the backbone of our operational motto as we continue the fight against illegal drugs, domestic crime and violence, organized crime, human trafficking, violent extremists, terrorism, cybercrime, and transnational and nontraditional security challenges,” Marbil said.

“We are seeing new forms of criminality evolving wherever there is an opportunity to exploit the weaknesses that advancement brings,” he said.

Marbil said public partnership and using modern technology would be an effective and efficient tool and a counter-force to combat criminality.

“We shall place utmost importance on police community engagement, working together in reducing crime through education, community partnership and policing and the use of emerging technology in social media,” Marbil said.

At present, cybercriminals continue to wage unrelenting operations to victimize their targets.

To enhance the operational effectiveness of the PNP, Marbil emphasized the need “to employing a holistic approach to assess and determine ways by which we can increase effectivity and efficiency and productivity throughout the 17 police regional officers, 102 provincial and city police offices, and 1,824 city and municipal stations that spread across the 17 regions of the Philippines.”

Marbil also enumerated vital points for the PNP to increase effectiveness: “quality of leadership, knowledge, ability, and professionalism within the ranks.”

He cited the need to expand the police’s ability to uphold the law, maintain order, and fight local and transnational crimes in all their forms and manifestations.

“To this end, we commit to utilizing the best and innovative practices in law enforcement,” he said.

“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 added.

He said the PNP will work on an enhanced partnership with the local community “because safety and order ultimately require our collaborative efforts.”

To better cope with various situations, Marbil said the PNP needs officers who possess critical thinking and problem-solving skills to address unique situations.

“We need police officers who can communicate with the public well, display empathy, and conduct themselves at all times responsibly, ethically and morally,” the PNP chief said.

In responding to crimes, Marbil said police officers not only have to act decisively, relentlessly, and quickly but, more importantly, are accountable and have transparency.

He also vowed to collaborate with international partners in law enforcement agencies from other countries to fight trans-border criminality and terrorism.

“We shall be vigilant and uncompromising in using all means at our disposal to stop these global threats from gaining a solid foothold in our society,” Marbil said.

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