Duterte signs law modifying PNP rank

The new rank classification in the PNP shall be as follows: Police General; Police Lieutenant General; Police Major General; Police Brigadier General; Police Colonel; Police Lieutenant Colonel; Police Major; Police Captain; Police Lieutenant; Police Executive Master Sergeant; Police Chief Master Sergeant; Police Senior Master Sergeant; Police Master Sergeant; Police Staff Sergeant; Police Corporal; and Patrolman/Patrolwoman. (File Photo:
Philippine National Police/Facebook)

MANILA — President Rodrigo R. Duterte has signed into law a bill, which modifies the rank classification of the Philippine National Police (PNP).

Former Special Assistant to the President (SAP) Christopher “Bong” Go bared this Thursday but did not provide further details.

Go said the new law also standardizes how police officers are being called.

It also clarifies the command and responsibility in the PNP for effective and efficient supervision and control among its uniformed personnel.

The new rank classification in the PNP shall be as follows: Police General; Police Lieutenant General; Police Major General; Police Brigadier General; Police Colonel; Police Lieutenant Colonel; Police Major; Police Captain; Police Lieutenant; Police Executive Master Sergeant; Police Chief Master Sergeant; Police Senior Master Sergeant; Police Master Sergeant; Police Staff Sergeant; Police Corporal; and Patrolman/Patrolwoman.

PNP Spokesman Senior Supt. Bernard Banac welcomed the President’s move, noting that it will improve police performance output and productivity.

Banac said that the modified classification will also make it easier for the public to understand the police ranking.

“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,” Banac said.

Interior Secretary Eduardo M. Año, in a press briefing, also hailed the signing of the new law.

“We hope after the signing of the bill and they will implement ang bagong system ng ranks, magkakaroon tayo ng donning ng bagongranks (the new system of ranks, we will have a donning of new ranks),” Año said. (With reports from Christopher Lloyd Caliwan/PNA)