MANILA: Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla announced a proposal to restructure the Philippine National Police (PNP) by significantly reducing the number of police generals. The initiative aims to address what is perceived as a “top-heavy” organization, potentially cutting the current count of over 130 generals to just 25.
According to Philippines News Agency, Remulla, who assumed his position as the head of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) two weeks ago, emphasized the need to eliminate redundancies within the police force. He pointed out the existence of area police commands that lack subordinates, calling for a review of Republic Act 6975, the DILG Act of 1991, which established the PNP. Remulla indicated that the restructuring was a key agenda item in a sectoral meeting with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.
The fate of active police generals remains uncertain as Remulla noted that the reorganization plan is still under review. He clarified that the proposal is intended to stream
line the police hierarchy and improve efficiency. This follows a call from PNP chief Police General Rommel Marbil for legislative amendments to address perceived organizational shortcomings.
In a related development, the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) is set to implement a merit-based recruitment system to enhance its personnel strength. NCRPO chief Maj. Gen. Sidney Hernia stated that rigorous measures have been introduced to ensure transparency throughout the recruitment process. The initiative involves 7,971 applicants vying for 400 positions, with 320 male recruits filling 80 percent of the available slots and the remaining 20 percent allocated to female candidates.