PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has signed into law a measure modifying the rank classification of the Philippine National Police (PNP).
The Palace has yet to confirm the signing of the measure, but former special assistant to the President Christopher Lawrence Go confirmed this in a text message sent to Palace reporters on Thursday, February 21.
"[Duterte] has signed into law a measure which modifies the rank classification in the PNP and standardizes how police officers are being called," he said.
"The new law clarifies the command and responsibility in the PNP for effective and efficient supervision and control among its uniformed personnel," he added.
Go, however, did not divulge the date when Duterte signed the law.
Under the law, the PNP's Director General rank, the highest position in the police force, will be changed to Police General.
The Deputy Director General will be called Police Lieutenant General, while a Police Director will be addressed as Police Major General.
A Chief Superintendent will be known as Police Brigadier General, Senior Superintendent as Police Colonel, and Superintendent as Police Lieutenant Colonel.
A Chief Inspector will be called Police Major, Senior Inspector as Police Captain, and Inspector as Police Lieutenant.
Senior Police Officer 4 (SPO4) will be Police Executive Master Sergeant, SPO3 will be Police Chief Master Sergeant, SPO2 will be Police Senior Master Sergeant, and SPO1 will be Police Master Sergeant.
Police Officer (PO3) will be addressed as Police Staff Sergeant, PO2 as Police Corporal, and PO1 as Patrolman or Patrolwoman.
The PNP's new rank classification is aimed at providing clarity of command and responsibility.
The change is also aimed at achieving effective and efficient administration, supervision and control within the police force.
“The new law clarifies the command and responsibility in the PNP for effective and efficient supervision and control among its uniformed personnel while performing their mandate to enforce the law, fight illegal drugs and crimes, maintain peace and order, with the active support of the people in the community,” PNP spokesperson Senior Superintendent Bernard Banac said.
“Definitely, the rank classification will contribute to more performance output and productivity from the police for having high morale as they will be called again the way they were addressed before, in contrast to the present rank classification which the public still find difficult to follow and understand,” he added. (With Third Anne Peralta-Malonzo/SunStar Philippines)