Marcos picks new PNP chief, declines to name candidate

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has chosen a candidate to replace outgoing Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Police General Rommel Marbil, whose term will end on June 7.

During a briefing in Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday, President Marcos confirmed the appointee is a 'very senior officer' but declined to reveal the name until an official announcement.

Among those reportedly under consideration are Police Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr., Police Lt. Gen. Edgar Allan Okubo, Police Maj. Gen. Nicolas Torre III, and newly mentioned candidate Police Maj. Gen. Anthony Aberin.

President Marcos emphasized that the incoming chief should continue current efforts to address crime in the country, noting a 23 percent decrease in index crimes in Metro Manila since January 1 to May 16 compared to last year.

The President also highlighted ongoing initiatives to reduce police response time to emergency calls to at least five minutes in urban areas and increase police presence in public areas through programs like 'Cops On the Beat'.