Building a Modern Police Force for a Modern Filipino Society

PHILIPPINE NATIONAL POLICE GENERAL ROMMEL FRANCISCO D. MARBIL DEFIES THE STEREOTYPE OF A STOIC AND AUTHORITATIVE FIGURE, DEMONSTRATING HIS APPROACHABLE NATURE AND CHARM IN ENGAGING PEOPLE IN CONVERSATION.

More than shedding light on his role as chief of the country’s police force, the League Magazine interview with Philippine National Police Chief General Rommel Francisco D. Marbil gave a glimpse of how he is as a husband and father, for he allowed us to share a conversation with his wife, Mary Rose, and daughter, Robyn Marie. The weekend session with him did not start right away, for he had to finish some official tasks, but when he greeted those present and apologized for the delay and made a lighthearted joke about how he looked for the photoshoot, we easily connected with him. Instantly, we realized that we were face to face with a man whose character is so far from the public notion of a rigid PNP Chief.

THE FAMILY MAN BEHIND THE BADGE

Mrs. Marbil reveals that being the wife of a PNP Chief is a difficult task to handle especially that the role of her husband is not only very challenging but also requires making decisions where lives are put at risk. If there are things that she has to be thankful for for being the wife of the PNP Chief, it is about how she has developed patience and strengthened her faith amid the uncertainties her husband and their family always face. “We don’t know if the opponents are up to something. So we don’t know if there’s a threat to him or to us. It’s quite challenging. We really have to rely on prayers because that’s the only thing that will get you through,” she shares.

Robyn Marie, the Marbil couple’s only child, shares that she never felt that friends or acquaintances gave her preferential treatment simply due to her being the PNP Chief’s daughter. Although she takes pride in what her father is doing for the country, she admits that because she doesn’t fully understand what’s happening, she sometimes gets anxious by the news and issues surrounding the PNP and her father. But Robyn Marie understands and has strong confidence in the ability of her father to resolve the issues. She understands that her father may withhold some information to protect her. “I feel very proud. I have a dad who can do such great things for the country. And I know he can always deliver what he’s asked to do. But it’s also very scary, because I can also hear it in the news. He doesn’t share any information with me, but occasionally, I hear about it from my close friends. He won’t tell me things that are scary,” she discloses.

Robyn Marie further shares that her dad is quite lenient with her. She always cherishes moments spent with him, as he has a knack for telling jokes that bring her joy.

Meanwhile, Mrs. Marbil shares that she supports her husband by not meddling with his official affairs, believing that a PNP officer can shine more in his career if the wife is just silently supporting him. “I think the best support a wife can do is to just keep quiet and not meddle with what he’s doing,” she says.

The wives of the PNP officers have established a foundation under the leadership of Mrs. Marbil with the primary focus of helping policemen and police non-commissioned officers (PNCO) and their families. The general firmly endorses this initiative, realizing that “police officers, through their police community relations program, assist those in need during calamities but often overlook the sick members within their ranks who require medical and financial support. We also have a government agency, the Department of Social Welfare and Development, whose mandate is to assist those in need within the community. It’s time that the police and their families should also be given help,” he asserts. “In addition to our scholarship program, which is specifically designed for the children and orphans of police officers and PNCOs, our foundation prioritizes providing financial assistance to sick policemen, PNCOs, and their families.”

EMPOWERING THE FORCE

Marbil emphasizes that policemen’s professional growth and well-being are essential to public service. He ensures the proper implementation of counseling services, stress management programs, and mental health support to foster emotional resilience. To encourage a healthy lifestyle, police personnel should frequently assess their mental health and participate in wellness and athletic activities. “These measures not only enhance physical well-being but also foster camaraderie and teamwork within the force,” Marbil states. According to him, the PNP offers its police personnel training opportunities, leadership seminars, and specialized courses as part of an ongoing program for their professional development. To guarantee that every police officer has an equal opportunity to advance and thrive in their career, PNP officers are promoted on the basis of their performance, or merit.

Marbil not only supports his men’s professional growth but also upholds the highest standards of conduct. He steadfastly adheres to the zero-tolerance policy toward erring policemen, determined to restore public trust by taking decisive action against rogue officers. “We have no room for erring officers in our ranks. We expect every police officer to uphold the strictest code of conduct, and our internal disciplinary mechanisms will swiftly and decisively address any form of misconduct or abuse. The time for complacency is over,” he says. The PNP will strengthen the Internal Affairs Service (IAS) to ensure timely investigations and appropriate disciplinary action. According to records, the IAS has filed charges against 6,256 personnel from July 2022 to July 2024, with 572 individuals recommended for dismissal.

Marbil is currently working on transforming the culture within the PNP, promoting professionalism, transparency, and integrity to rebuild public trust. He wants police officers to be accountable, for this is where they will earn respect from the communities they serve. The country’s top police officer admits that while he is up to transforming the PNP, they are dealing with limited resources, outdated facilities, and some pushback on changes within the organization. The PNP leadership is making efforts to resolve this by partnering with local governments, private companies, and international partners. However, their primary focus at the moment is combating cybercrimes, as criminals are already leveraging technology to operate online. The PNP is investing in better digital tools and training in order to handle these new threats. The organization is also adopting more advanced technology to predict crime trends, improve their responses, and ensure that they are ahead of cybercriminals.

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

Marbil believes that there should be a deep connection between the police and the communities they serve through community engagement to foster trust. One of the initiatives toward this effort is the “Revitalized Pulis Sa Barangay” (R-PSB) program, which places police officers directly within local barangays to live, work, and interact with community members. This shows that law enforcement is not just about crime prevention but also about building genuine relationships. They implement initiatives such as peacekeeping and community development, fostering mutual assistance between citizens and police officers. The PNP also empowers local citizens in helping maintain peace and order through Barangay Peacekeeping Action Teams (BPATs). The police deploy residents as BPATs, acting as force multipliers in crime prevention, disaster response, and conflict resolution. There are also Police Community Precincts (PCPs) in strategic locations that serve as hubs for citizens to easily go to whenever they need police assistance. However, the PNP encompasses more than just policing and crime prevention. As part of its commitment to enhancing the quality of life and public safety, they have a Community Assistance and Development Program that tackles broader social issues such as livelihood projects, health services, and crime prevention seminars. The PNP also upholds the rights of women, children, and other vulnerable members of society through its Gender and Development (GAD) program. It is active in conducting training and awareness programs to promote gender equality and inclusivity in police work.

The PNP also wants to ensure that the communities receive prompt and effective police assistance, which is why they revitalized the 911 emergency response system. Marbil emphasizes that this effort goes beyond upgrading the technology; it is about serving every Filipino, regardless of their location or status, to make them feel secure. This upgraded E911 system, which replaces Patrol 117, has advanced technology that reduces the response time of police and enhances coordination with other emergency services. Marbil states that all police units are directed to respond to 911 calls within three minutes. “We believe that all PNP personnel must uphold the highest standards of urgency and professionalism, reflecting the organization’s dedication to serving and protecting the public,” he assures.

SMART POLICING

In accordance with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive to advance digitalization, the PNP is also implementing a comprehensive modernization strategy to improve operational efficiency and public safety. Police Regional Office (PRO) CALABARZON services have developed a mobile application, POWER (Protecting Our Community’s Well-being through Effective Services and Response), which enables anyone to report crimes easily without compromising confidentiality.

MARBIL ACKNOWLEDGES THAT WHILE HE IS COMMITTED TO TRANSFORMING THE PNP, THEY FACE CHALLENGES SUCH AS LIMITED RESOURCES, OUTDATED FACILITIES, AND SOME RESISTANCE TO CHANGES WITHIN THE ORGANIZATION.

Meanwhile, PRO 9 has developed the Geographical Analysis for Crime Incident and Deployment Management (GeoAID) System, which enhances their operations by enabling real-time monitoring of police personnel, vehicles, and crime incidents. This system allows for accurate tracking and rapid deployment of resources, leading to quicker response times. The PNP Crime Information Reporting and Analysis System (CIRAS) and PNP e-Blotter systems also centralize the database for crime reporting and incident management.

According to Marbil, the PNP’s goal in the next decade is to leverage technology to provide faster, more efficient, and transparent services to the people. The PNP will persist in the development and implementation of digital tools such as artificial intelligence (AI), big data analytics, smart surveillance systems, and advanced communication technologies, ensuring they are adequately prepared to tackle both traditional crimes and emerging threats like cybercrime. He believes that the digital transformation will not only enhance public safety but also ensure that the police force maintains the trust and confidence of the communities they serve.

The PNP Chief explains that they are committed to integrating AI technology into their operation to strengthen both crime prevention and emergency response. The organization saw the power of AI in providing real-time data processing. He cites the capability of AI systems to analyze closed circuit television footage and identify specific vehicles within seconds, a process that would take longer when done manually. The PNP is also integrating AI in their SMART Policing program to improve their resource deployment and decision-making through real-time analytics. AI can help in upgrading their Integrated Command and Control Centers for a quicker and more coordinated response to emergencies. Furthermore, we are exploring AI-driven surveillance systems, such as smart CCTVs with facial recognition and behavior analysis features. These technologies will enhance public safety by enabling us to detect suspicious activities and prevent crimes before they occur.

Digitization and AI technology will greatly help the PNP in the fight against cybercrime, which is the organization’s top priority. The Anti-Cybercrime Group (ACG), according to Marbil, has adopted a SMART (Secured, Mobile, AI-driven, Real-time Technology) policing approach in its cyber-patrolling, entrapment operations, and technical support for investigations. The SMART Policing approach, with the aid of AI technology, enables police operatives to promptly identify any cyber threats online, as well as to monitor phishing schemes, financial fraud, or online fraud. The PNP also has a strong partnership and collaborative efforts with the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) on intelligence sharing, making the response to cybercrime incidents more effective. The PNP’s Cybersecurity Center is also a significant contributor to the detection, protection, and response to cyber threats. The overall crime volume decreased by 14,666 from July 2023 to June 2024, as indicated by the PNP’s records. Additionally, there has been a substantial decrease in the number of robberies, carnappings, and rapes, as well as a 21.09% decrease in the number of cybercrime incidents.

Marbil acknowledges that the challenges accompanying transformation are significant, yet he inspires his men to persist in their service and protection of the people, as they possess the ability to create a meaningful impact in the lives of every Filipino. He urges them to work together in upholding their principles of professionalism, integrity, and service. He underscores his call for the police officers to remain dedicated to the PNP’s vision of Mahusay, Matatag, at Maasahan na Kapulisan (Efficient, Strong, and Reliable Police Force), which the public not only respects but also trusts. “Overall, while there are hurdles to overcome, our commitment to innovation, teamwork, and positive change will help us create a modern and effective police force that can tackle both traditional and new challenges.”

He would also like to express gratitude for the support of the Filipino people toward the PNP, as it strengthens the police force’s mission to serve and protect the nation with dedication and integrity. He leaves them with this message: “Sa Bagong Pilipinas, ang gusto ng pulis, ligtas ka! (In the New Philippines, your safety is the goal of the police).”

OVERALL, WHILE THERE ARE HURDLES TO OVERCOME, OUR COMMITMENT TO INNOVATION, TEAMWORK, AND POSITIVE CHANGE WILL HELP US CREATE A MODERN AND EFFECTIVE POLICE FORCE THAT CAN TACKLE BOTH TRADITIONAL AND NEW CHALLENGES.