Manila: Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil on Wednesday said he is pushing for the police force to be more "civilian-centric."

According to Philippines News Agency, Marbil proposed amending Republic Act 6975, or the Department of the Interior and Local Government Act of 1990, to transform the PNP into a "modern, civilian-centric police force." He emphasized the need for the PNP to adopt a flatter structure instead of a hierarchical one, which would facilitate quicker decision-making and ensure firmer accountability.

Marbil noted that the PNP's current structure was designed for a militarized force, but its civilian mandate necessitates a fundamentally different approach. He argued that a flatter structure would "enhance local accountability, build stronger community relationships, and reduce bureaucratic delays that hinder the PNP's responsiveness."

While recognizing the successes of past reforms, particularly in strengthening internal disciplinary mechanisms, Marbil highlighted that "deeper systemic issues persist" due to the PNP's hierarchical and militaristic structure. He stated that although significant progress has been made in reforms related to discipline and operational systems, reorganization is the next logical step to address long-standing systemic flaws.

Marbil criticized the existing "utos sa taas" or top-down directive culture, which he claimed creates operational bottlenecks, stifles grassroots innovation, and dilutes individual accountability among officers. He asserted that by streamlining the organization, officers would be better empowered to make timely and effective decisions.

As Marbil is set to retire next month, he called for a significant organizational overhaul of the PNP, insisting that "it's about time that reorganization, not reforms, be given due notice." He emphasized that reorganizing the PNP is not only about improving operational efficiency but also about upholding the police force's role as protectors of the people and exemplars of good governance.

Marbil was appointed as the country's 30th PNP chief on April 1, 2024, and is set to retire on February 7 upon reaching the mandatory retirement age of 56.