By Christopher Lloyd Caliwan/ PNA
MANILA — The Philippine National Police (PNP) has implemented the new law that modified the rank classification of police officers into similar ones used by their military counterparts.
In a memorandum signed by Director for Personnel and Records Management, Police Major Gen. Lyndon Cubos, on Thursday and was released to the media on Friday, the new rank classifications will be used immediately.
The new rank classification in the PNP are as follows:
-from Director General to Police General;
-from Deputy Director General to Police Lieutenant General;
-from Police Director to Police Major General;
-from Chief Superintendent to Police Brigadier General;
-from Senior Superintendent to Police Colonel;
-from Supt. to Police Lieutenant Colonel;
-from Chief Inspector to Police Major;
-from Senior Inspector to Police Captain;
-from Police Inspector to Police Lieutenant;
-from Senior Police Officer (SPO) 4 to Police Executive Master Sergeant;
-from SPO3 to Police Chief Master Sergeant;
-from SPO2 to Police Senior Master Sergeant;
-from SPO1 to Police Master Sergeant;
-from PO3 to Police Staff Sergeant;
-from PO2 to Police Corporal; and
-from PO1 to Patrolman/Patrolwoman.
On February 8, President Rodrigo Duterte signed into law Republic Act 11200, which standardizes the way PNP officers are called.
The new law also clarifies the command and responsibility in the PNP for effective and efficient supervision and control among its uniformed personnel.
Earlier, PNP spokesperson, Police Col. Bernard Banac, welcomed the President’s move, noting that it will improve police performance output and productivity.
Banac said 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,” he said.
Interior Secretary Eduardo M. Año also hailed the signing of the new law.
“We hope after the signing of the bill and they will implement the new system of ranks, we will have a donning of new ranks,” Año said.
