Marcos has selected next PNP chief - DILG

President Marcos has chosen a successor to Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Rommel Marbil, Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla said yesterday.

- By MARK ERNEST VILLEZA

"He already has someone in mind. We talked about it, but let's wait for the President to make the announcement," Remulla told reporters during a briefing at Camp Karingal.

He said the incoming PNP chief is a police general with a solid track record, good leadership and long-term vision.

"The President is the appointing authority, but in this case, we had a conversation. There were inputs and he made the final choice," Remulla added.

Remulla said the PNP needs leadership with continuity, noting that most police chiefs only serve for about a year, resulting in frequent changes in policy direction.

"We need someone with a consistent and clear vision that can outlast any administration. Right now, every year the PNP's mission and directive change," he noted.

To address this, Remulla said the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) will propose a new PNP Reform Law, replacing the "outdated" 1992 law that integrated the PNP and the Integrated National Police.

"When that law was written, there was no social media. The per capita income was under $1,000. Metro Manila's population was six million. Now it's more than double. We need a law that reflects today's realities," he added. Marbil's term was extended by Marcos in January by four months. He is expected to retire as PNP chief by June 7.

Nationwide 911 The DILG is targeting the launch of a centralized 911 emergency response system by July, replacing the existing patchwork of over 30 emergency numbers across different localities.

"Right now, Quezon City uses 122, while Makati, San Juan and others use different numbers. We are centralizing all emergency responses nationwide," Remulla said.

The new 911 system will integrate police, fire and medical response, with features such as livestreaming, image capture, body-worn cameras and a push-to-call function connecting to regional dispatch units.