Philippine National Police chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil (PNP FB PAGE)
MANILA, Philippines 鈥� The likely extension of Gen. Rommel Marbil鈥檚 term as chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP) would not cause any grievances in the organization, according to Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla.
In a Palace briefing on Tuesday, Remulla was asked whether the possible term extension until after the midterm elections in May would result in disputes.
Marbil will reach the PNP鈥檚 mandatory retirement age of 56 this February.
鈥淣o. The extension is only six months at most, so I don鈥檛 see any reason. The stability of the institution becomes more important, especially during elections,鈥� he responded.
Remulla added that reassignment of personnel in the PNP has already concluded.
鈥淪o if there is a new PNP chief, he won鈥檛 be able to reassign people either. So, might as well keep the status quo until after the BARMM [Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao] elections, then the President will choose a new one,鈥� said Remulla.
Remulla said President Ferdinand 鈥淏ongbong鈥� R. Marcos Jr. is also 鈥渋nclined鈥� to extend Marbil鈥檚 term, although there is no formal announcement about any decision yet.
鈥淗e hasn鈥檛 announced it, but he鈥檚 indicated that he鈥檚 inclined to do it. So, there鈥檚 no final answer. General Marbil鈥檚 birthday is apparently February 7, so before that he will announce what his decision will be,鈥� Remulla said.
In an ambush interview in Taguig City on Monday, Marcos said he is evaluating the possible extension Marbil鈥檚 term.
鈥淲ell, there is a very strong argument that it would not be good for stability, especially to change the chief PNP in the middle of a campaign period and approaching an election period,鈥� he said.
鈥淪o, we are studying it, but I think that is probably a very strong argument to keep him on. At the very least, until after the elections,鈥� Marcos added in Filipino and English.