PNP chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil yesterday said all police generals are capable of succeeding him as the leader of the nearly 230,000-strong police force.
Marbil made the remarks during an ambush interview at the PNP national headquarters at Camp Crame, with his extended tour of duty nearing its end.
Marbil was supposed to bow out of the service last February 7 upon reaching the retirement age of 56 but President Marcos Jr. extended his tour of duty by four months until June 7.
“They have their own strengths and weaknesses but everyone is capable (to be the PNP chief),” said Marbil, referring to the generals.
“What I am saying is that we have commanders who are very good and can command the PNP. Anybody from the one-stars, (two-stars), or any three-stars can be chosen by the president to command the PNP,” said Marbil
“All of them are good, our policemen are good. They have their own strengths and weaknesses (but) they are capable of leading the PNP. They are all good. I can assure you these people are really good,” said Marbil.
There are more than a hundred generals in the PNP at present, including PNP deputy chief for administration Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez, who is said to be among the frontrunners to succeed Marbil.
The other contenders include PNP deputy chief for operations Lt. Gen. Robert Rodriguez, Chief of the Directorial Staff Lt. Gen. Edgar Alan Okubo, PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group director Maj. Gen. Nicolas Torre III, and National Capital Region Police Office director Maj. Gen. Anthony Aberin.
Asked if he is open to serving in the government after his retirement, Marbil said: “I really need to spend time with my family. But I will not say (yes or no), anything can happen.”
