Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jonvic Remulla clarified that the reduction of Philippine National Police (PNP) generals will not require firing anyone; instead waiting for their retirement.
“We are not firing anyone, we are not removing anyone, we are waiting for their retirement and we will formulate the policy whether or not we will replace the generals that are retiring,” Remulla said.
Although the Interior Secretary previously aimed to trim the PNP generals to 25 from 153, he said on Wednesday they are planning to keep at least 100.
“As of now, I think a hundred is the first target. The idea for me is 25 but I don’t think we can work 225,000 policemen with only 25 generals. It is meant to start a conversation,” Remulla explained.
Meanwhile, former PNP chief and Sen. Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa agreed the organization is “somehow bloated somewhere,” citing the need to streamline the PNP amid a large number of generals.
“Take this as a recommendation or an unsolicited advice to (Remulla). While we are going to (streamline), I hope, the changes in the organization, especially in streamlining the number of generals, will not be such drastic. Please take into consideration their morale and welfare,” Dela Rosa said.
