Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil, chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP), urged the Congress to amend the law which created the national police organization, saying the current provisions impede the police’s ability and capacity to respond swiftly and effectively.  

He is referring to the Republic Act 6975 the law that created the PNP in 1991, which he said does not align with the latest global trends in law enforcement, partly due to organizational flaws.

Marbil explained that the amendment will transition the PNP  into a “flatter, more streamlined structure,” which would lead to quicker decision-making, especially during emergencies, improve accountability, and promote better communication across all ranks.

“The current hierarchical system often slows down decision-making, particularly in critical situations where prompt responses are vital,” said Marbil.

“While RA 6975 was groundbreaking at its inception, it must evolve to meet the demands of modern policing. By restructuring the PNP, the Philippines would move closer to building a police force that is efficient, accountable, and adequately equipped to serve the public in the 21st century,” he added.

One of the provisions which Marbil seeks to push is the empowerment of lower-ranking officers to make localized decisions in order to reduce delays and enhance operational efficiency.

In emphasizing that the law’s current provision is no longer applicable to modern times, Marbil said that the RA 6975 was created at a time when the police force had fewer than 150,000 officers.

This figure, he said, no longer meets the current demands for public safety and crime prevention. 

Over the past three decades, the number has doubled.

Marbil also pointed out that a flatter organizational structure would improve accountability, as clearer roles and responsibilities would facilitate better oversight and performance monitoring, which are crucial elements in maintaining public trust and upholding law enforcement standards.

He also noted that streamlining the PNP would enhance communication throughout the organization, eliminating unnecessary bottlenecks and fostering collaboration between field officers and senior leadership.

“This kind of structure encourages leadership and initiative at all levels, inspiring creativity and innovation in tackling the country’s security challenges,” he said.