President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. expressed the country’s gratitude to now-retired P/Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil for leading the Philippine National Police (PNP) and bringing the police force closer to the people.

“General Marbil, you led the Philippine National Police with a compass firmly set on integrity, professionalism, and respect for human rights,” President Marcos said during the formal turnover of command ceremony in Camp Crame on Monday.

“In your (Marbil) stewardship, the PNP became a more people-centered, structured, and regulated institution. You guided your officers to serve with integrity and in doing so, you restored the people’s confidence in the uniform that the police wear,” the President added.

“Naging sandigan ng pamahalaan ang kapulisan sa paghahatid ng tulong, pagbibigay ng proteksyon, at pagtataguyod ng karapatang pantao,” the President said. “Ipinakita ng PNP na walang katumbas ang buhay ng tao—mga buhay na nailigtas, napag-lingkuran, at natulungang makabangon. And for this, General Marbil, we are truly grateful.”

Marbil bowed out of service after leading the PNP for 14 months.

Marbil assumed the top PNP post on April 1, 2024. President Marcos extended Marbil’s term when the latter reached the compulsory retirement age of 56, on February 7, 2025.

During Marbil’s term, the PNP took on the task of carrying out an anti-drug campaign that saw the arrests of several high-profile drug suspects and the seizure of record amounts of illegal drugs.

At President Marcos’s orders, the PNP also focused on making the streets safer through enhanced police visibility.

President Marcos hailed Marbil’s leadership during crucial times, from disaster response to crisis management, as well as ensuring general public safety and the peaceful conduct of the recent May 12 elections. | PND