PRESIDENT Marcos Jr. has extended the term of PNP chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil by four months, starting February 7.
A memorandum dated February 4 signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin and addressed to Interior Secretary Juanito Victor Remulla said the President approved the extension of Marbil’s government service beyond the compulsory retirement age of 56.
Marbil held various positions in the PNP, including Directorate for Comptrollership, Director of Police Regional Office 8 (PRO-8) and Director of the Highway Patrol Group (HPG) before being named as PNP chief on April 1, 2024.
Marbil, the 30th PNP chief, is a member of the Philippine Military Academy’s Sambisig Class of 1991 and is supposed to bow out of the service today, Friday, upon reaching the retirement age of 56.
Remulla welcomed the extension of Marbil’s term, saying: “Marbil’s term extension will allow him to continue his crime prevention and law enforcement initiatives.
“It will also ensure stability in the PNP, especially in the preparations for the upcoming national and local elections in May this year,” added Remulla.
Remulla said the interior department “fully supports (the) PNP and its leadership in their mission to uphold peace, security, and the rule of law across the nation.”
Marbil thanked the President for extending his term and vowed to work harder to keep the coming elections peaceful.
In a message to reporters, Marbil expressed gratitude to the President “for trusting and having confidence in the PNP under my leadership.”
He said the four-month extension “will help us refine and improve the preparations we’ve made for the election.”
In a later statement, Marbil said: “With this extension, I am deeply honored and grateful for the trust, confidence, and unwavering support of our President.”
Marbil assured the President and the Filipino people that he will “remain steadfast in upholding the PNP’s commitment to serve with integrity, professionalism, and dedication.”
The PNP has been preparing for the national and local elections over the past several months. Last Tuesday, Marbil said the PNP wants the elections to be the country’s “most peaceful” electoral process.
“This extension allows me to focus and work harder on our preparations for the 2025 national and local elections, ensuring that we deliver peaceful, credible, fair, and honest elections,” said Marbil.
The PNP Public Information Office (PIO) said the PNP, under Marbil’s term, “remains resolute in its mission to uphold public safety and security, ensuring an electoral process free from violence, intimidation, or fraud.”
The PIO said Marbil’s leadership “will continue to prioritize proactive law enforcement, crime prevention, and enhanced community engagement to maintain peace and order nationwide.”
It said PNP personnel fully support the extension of the term of Marbil, adding this reinforces their “collective commitment to the reforms and strategic goals he has set for the organization.”
“This unity underscores the PNP’s dedication to its mandate of protecting and serving the Filipino people,” it said.
The PIO said Marbil’s leadership “will focus on maintaining high standards of service, advancing internal reforms, and strengthening the PNP’s capability to address evolving security challenges.”
“His vision is clear—to lead a PNP that is strong, responsive, and steadfast in its duty to create a safer and more secure Philippines for all,” it also said.
