Whether or not Marbil stays as chief, PNP ‘ready’ for threats to polls
PNP spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo answers questions from reporters during a media briefing in Camp Crame, Quezon City in this file photo taken on April 25, 2023. 黑料社 / Faith Argosino
MANILA, Philippines — Regardless of whether Gen. Rommel Marbil stays as chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP) until June, the law enforcement agency said it is “ready to face” security threats to the 2025 elections.
The comment came amid news that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. was studying the possibility of keeping Marbil as PNP chief from Feb. 7, when he will reach the mandatory retirement age of 56, to the end of the election period on June 11.
READ: Marcos studies possible extension of Marbil’s term as PNP chief
“Whether the [term of the PNP] chief will be extended or not, what we can assure is the PNP is ready to face any security threats this coming election,” PNP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Jean Fajardo said at a press conference in Camp Crame on Wednesday.
Article continues after this advertisement“We have to also understand that we are in the thick of our preparation for [the] election. It would be quite difficult to change the leadership,” she added.
Article continues after this advertisementAt the Kapihan sa Manila Bay forum last Wednesday, Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla said there were “indications” that Marbil’s term would be extended, arguing a change in leadership would be “ineffective” after reshuffles in the police force ahead of the 2025 midterm polls.
READ: DILG’s Remulla ‘indicates’ PNP chief Marbil may extend post until June
“This is not the first time, if ever, that [the term of] a sitting Chief PNP will be extended due to the exigency of the service,” Fajardo said.
The most recent term extension was for then-PNP chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr., whose tenure was originally set to end on Dec. 3, 2023 but was extended to March 31, 2024.
READ: Marcos extends Acorda’s term as PNP chief until March 31, 2024
Fajardo also said that while it is the president’s prerogative to name the PNP chief, “as a matter of practice, normally, kung sino miyembro ng (whoever is a member of the) PNP Command Group… [is] always being considered.”
The PNP Command Group includes:
- Deputy Chief for Administration Police Maj. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr.
- Acting Deputy Chief for Operation Police Lt. Gen. Robert Rodriguez
- Chief of Directorial Staff Police Maj. Gen. Edgar Alan Okubo
READ: Maj. Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil is new PNP chief
Marbil was tapped to be the nation’s top cop in April 2024.
