In valuing life, Police Gen. Rommel Francisco D. Marbil, the 30th chief of the Philippine National Police, sets the stage for making the country a safer and better place, not just for his family, but for every Filipino–even after he retires from service.
By JOSE PAOLO S. DELA CRUZ
He may only have been chief of the Philippine National Police since April this year, but Police Gen. Rommel Francisco D. Marbil has already spent a lifetime, albeit inadvertently, preparing for this very important role. In fact, the 55-year-old four-star general from Manila, who was part of the Philippine Military Academy’s “Sambisig” Class of ’91, has had quite a storied career.
“I’ve been assigned to many parts of the PNP,” starts off Marbil, whose smiling face and calm demeanor veer away from the stereotypical man in uniform. “I’ve been in the field, held directorate positions for planning and comptrollership. I’ve even been assigned to the Special Armed Forces (SAF).”
Since joining the force in 1991, he has also served as chief of staff of the civil security group, led the highway patrol group as its director and served as regional director of the Eastern Visayas police. These assignments undoubtedly armed Marbil with the necessary experience and connections that would one day come in handy as leader to the country’s 230,000-strong police force. More importantly, they gave him a clearer vision on what it takes to bring the PNP, not just to greater heights, but closer to the people. “In the end, it’s about building a better police force. To do that, you need to create better policies and adhere to higher standards as a group,” he says.
No April Fools
Earlier this year, Marbil had welcomed a blood-stained Padre Pio relic in his home from Feb. 7 to April 2. Around this time, whispers of his upcoming appointment were already making the rounds, to the point that it was all but confirmed.
On April 1 — a day before he was bound to return the relic — the office called him to attend a retirement ceremony, not a turnover ceremony that traditionally marks the tenure of an incoming chief. “Before I left my house, I told St. Padre Pio, I know it will be a miracle if a turnover happened today, but guess what? I believe in miracles,” he told us in the vernacular.
Soon after arriving at Quirino Grandstand, members of the Presidential Management Staff asked him via text if he had prepared a speech. Not one to be presumptuous, Marbil explained that his invitation was merely for a retirement ceremony.
____________________
“We’re a very simple family, though a bit busy. We usually get together at dinner time, though my husband would, of course, not make it sometimes due to work. But at seven o’clock, we are there when we can, seated properly, ready to spend time with each other.” — Rose Marbil
___________________
“No, we will change the ceremony and add a turnover,” said his source. “Your appointment papers are ready, so you better be.”
Upon hearing this, Marbil immediately left the Grandstand and rushed back to his office to change into his “white duck” uniform. With less than an hour to spare, he then had to make his way back in time for the 10 a.m. ceremony. So quick was the turn of events that even his wife Rose couldn’t make it to the momentous occasion.
But when the President saw Marbil, who, was already drenched in sweat, his prayers were answered. “Congratulations, Gen. Marbil,” Marcos told him.
Well, Padre Pio must be smiling from heaven.
“Value human life”
Circuitous and exciting as the turnover ceremony was, the President couldn’t be more direct when it came to his marching orders. And that is to “value human life.”
“Even if we’ve had several successful operations and made several arrests, you’d notice that less people die from these operations. The President told us: ‘tamang intelligence, tamang police work’ (due diligence, diligent policework),” shares Marbil. This means that members of the police force are now instructed to pursue all necessary precautions so that parties being arrested would not even attempt to retaliate and resort to violence. “Peaceful, humane, legal. This is what the President likes,” he reiterates.
Having served under seven presidents and dozens of PNP chiefs, Marbil has also learned that the quest for peace and order, even against illegal drugs, is not a war. “Leadership plays a crucial role in the way the police force works. And I believe that ‘war’ is not the answer. Rather, it’s the continuous work of the police force. It’s our adaptability to crime and the level in which these criminals evolve and adapt to our operations,” he says.
Marbil is also on a mission to utilize technology to make the police more present in the lives of Filipinos — especially when and where they are needed. “Through our 24-hour 911 hotlines, we want to achieve a three- minute response time, much like other 911 responders in more advanced countries,” says the PNP chief. He also notes that the presence of CCTVs in strategic areas across the Philippines, as well as the use of social media, have proven themselves useful in combatting crime. These tools also strengthen the growing synergy between communities and policemen, whose relationship has grown to be more cordial in recent months. “We want the police to be closer to the people, to earn their trust, so that Robin Hood types [criminals banking on the goodwill of members of the community] do not proliferate on the grassroots level,” he explains.
____________________
“Leadership plays a crucial role in the way the police force works. And I believe that ‘war’ is not the answer. Rather, it’s the continuous work of the police force. It’s our adaptability to crime and the level in which these criminals evolve and adapt to our operations.” — PGen. Rommel Francisco D. Marbil
___________________
In the end, Marbil, who also has a Master’s Degree in Public Management from the Ateneo de Manila University, says that his time as PNP chief is all about efficiency. “My mantra is pretty straightforward. Sa bagong Pilipinas, ang gusto ng pulis ay ligtas ka (In the new Philippines, the police want you to be safe). That’s why we’ve come back to crime prevention, crime solution,” he says.
The responsibilities might seem daunting for the new chief of police, especially with the limited time he has in office. Marbil, after all, is legally required to retire from service on Feb. 06, 2025, when he turns 56. “This is also why we have come up with three-year and five-year development plans. That way, incoming chiefs will be able to build on their predecessor’s progress, even despite our short tenure,” he explains.
Faith, not fear
Like many seasoned police officers, Marbil has also faced danger in the line of duty. He has been ambushed twice in his career, the first time shortly after he graduated from the PMA.“I was 22 and we had ranger’s training in Mindoro, which was home to rebel forces. So many of my colleagues died after the rebels attacked us,” says the general, who, miraculously, has never been hit by a bullet in his 33-year career.
His wife of 27 years, Rose, also recalls that his time as chief of the drug enforcement unit in Manila was particularly dangerous. “I think that was the most dangerous job. My daughter was still a baby. I went to work and had to switch cars all the time. We also had to change plate numbers to ensure that no one could trail us,” says Rose, who would sometimes just hear of her husband’s pursuits in the evening news. And while that posting did make her pray a little more frequent and a little harder at times, she, too, shared her husband’s courage.
Did fear ever make the general rethink his choices? “Alam mo, kung iisipin ko yan. Hindi na po ako magta-trabaho (You know, if I think of that, I’ll never be able to work),” the general says with a chuckle.
Rommel, Rose and Robyn
As a rule Gen. Marbil tries not to bring his concerns from work back to his home, which he shares with Rose, an executive for a telecommunications firm, and their daughter Robyn. And in the confines of their little paradise, his life as a policeman takes a back seat to simply being Rommel — a loving husband and a doting dad.
“We’re a very simple family, though a bit busy. We usually get together at dinnertime, though my husband would, of course, not make it sometimes due to work. But at seven o’clock, we are there when we can, seated properly, ready to spend time with each other,” she says.
Rommel and Rose met when they were only 15 years old and went steady at the age of 19. They were classmates at Paco Catholic School. He was her only boyfriend.
Despite having a father who also served in the military — Rose’s dad was in the medical corps — she admits that she didn’t initially realize the obstacles and challenges that came with marrying a man in uniform. “It takes a lot of maturity. You just have to stick to it. That’s a decision you need to make and stand by when you get married, not only to a policeman, but in general,” she says.
____________________
“My fondest memory would always be the three of us, in the living room, as dad does his crazy dance, usually to ‘Happy’ by Square Heads.” — Robyn Marbil
____________________
Still, Rose commends her husband for always finding time for the family, despite the many challenges he faces in the field. “He tries to be present in as many important occasions as he can. If something very important is scheduled though, we assure him that we understand. Though I must say, it’s not unusual for him to still find a way somehow to do his job and still be with us,” says Rose.
One such moment was when Rommel flew into the US for a few days, in between important meetings, to attend his daughter’s graduation from Columbia University, where she took M.S. Architecture and Urban Design.
Robyn, now 26, also shares that her father is nowhere near as strict or as intimidating as one would think. “My fondest memory would always be the three of us, in the living room, as dad does his crazy dance, usually to ‘Happy’ by Square Heads,” she tells us.
Rose chimes in with a giggle, saying that the general would often do his crazy dance while wearing a “punit-punit sando [tattered undershirt].”
The question begs to be asked: Does being the only daughter of a ranking police general ever intimidated Robyn’s suitors? Again, surprisingly not. “My dad is like an Oreo, hard on the outside, soft on the inside,” says Robyn.
“He’s actually quite open and welcoming. In fact, I tend to be stricter, in general.” says Rose. “Often he’d tell me, ‘mas mahirap pag walang nanliligaw, [It’d be sadder if no one courted her!]” She also tells PeopleAsia that the general is pretty close to their daughter’s boyfriend of eight years.
Indeed, life is coming up roses for the Marbils — and they certainly have each other to thank for it.
Photography by DIX PEREZ
Creative direction by DEXTER FRANCIS DE VERA
Grooming by KLENG TOTANES
