Manila: Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla has requested the National Police Commission (Napolcom) to approve a one-year service extension for Calabarzon Police Chief Brig. Gen. Hansel Marantan, who is scheduled to retire on July 10.

According to Philippines News Agency, the extension is sought to ensure the uninterrupted execution of critical, ongoing high-impact operations in the region. Remulla emphasized the importance of Marantan's continued service, stating, "There is great merit in his service. We still need his specialized skill set for one more year."

During a press briefing at Camp Crame, PNP spokesperson Col. Allen Rae Co described the request from the DILG chief as "unusual," noting that there are no existing records of such term extensions within the police organization. "Right off the bat I can't think of any but we will have to research if there is a precedent for this kind of request," Co said. He also attributed the request to Marantan's effective leadership as the director of the Police Regional Office (PRO) 4A (Calabarzon).

Col. Co explained that the specifics of the operations necessitating Marantan's extension are classified due to their high-impact and confidential nature. He added that the ultimate decision on the extension rests with the President, stating, "As I understand it, it is still the President who will have to approve whether this will be granted."

Brig. Gen. Hansel Marantan expressed his gratitude for the trust and confidence shown by the DILG secretary in recommending his service extension. "I sincerely thank the leadership of the DILG and the Philippine National Police for their confidence," Marantan said. He acknowledged that the final decision would be made by the appropriate authorities and expressed his commitment to continue serving with integrity and professionalism.

Marantan is set to mandatorily retire from the PNP upon turning 56 on July 10.