Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla is proposing to trim down the number of Philippine National Police (PNP) generals to only 25, from as high as 130.
Remulla has a noble objective — to flatten the top-heavy police organization and address redundancies. However, it is a move that is certain to affect the current PNP structure and foment demoralization among the ranks that may have far-reaching consequences if not handled properly.
Reducing the number of generals could streamline decision-making processes, potentially leading to quicker and more efficient responses to incidents. A streamlined hierarchy is expected to reduce bureaucratic delays and improve the agility of the PNP.
With fewer high-ranking officers, resources saved from this could be reallocated to enhance operations. This could mean more funding for training, equipment, and community policing initiatives, directly impacting the effectiveness of law enforcement.
On the flip side, limiting the number of generals to 25 will affect the current structure. As spokesperson Brig. Gen. Jean Fajardo noted, the PNP currently has 111 generals who all hold key positions requiring a one-star rank or higher under the current organizational structure.
Aside from structural disruption, the move could affect the morale of officers aspiring to rise through the ranks. It may also lead to a bottleneck in career advancement, potentially causing dissatisfaction among the ranks.
The deactivation of certain units, as suggested, might lead to a loss of specialized skills and knowledge. This could impact the PNP’s ability to handle specific types of crimes or emergencies that require specialized responses.
Considering that the primary mandate of the PNP is to maintain peace and order, enforce the law, and ensure public safety, the proposal to trim down police generals must be carefully managed to ensure it does not compromise these core responsibilities. The PNP must continue to operate effectively, with clear leadership and adequate resources to address the diverse challenges of law enforcement.
To achieve a balanced approach, it is crucial to engage with various stakeholders, including PNP officers, community leaders, and policy experts to determine if 25 generals are sufficient amid new challenges facing law enforcement. This would provide decision-makers valuable insights and foster a collaborative approach to implementing the reforms.
Once this is determined, the government may consider gradual implementation or phased approach rather than an abrupt reduction. This would allow the PNP to adjust gradually, ensuring that operational capabilities are not compromised during the transition.
Investing in leadership training for mid-level officers may be another measure to consider to prepare officers to take on greater responsibilities. This can help mitigate the impact of reducing the number of generals and ensure a smooth transition of leadership.
Savings from reducing the number of generals may be redirected to frontline operations and community policing to enhance the overall efficiency. This ensures that the focus remains on maintaining peace and order.
While the proposal to trim down the number of PNP generals aims to address structural inefficiencies, it must be carefully balanced to ensure it does not undermine the PNP’s ability to fulfill its mandate. A thoughtful and phased approach that includes enhanced training, strategic resource allocation, and stakeholder engagement can help achieve a win-win solution, ensuring both organizational efficiency and effective law enforcement.
Pursuing this reform measure must be handled with utmost care, lest it becomes a general problem that might be too hot to handle.