Duterte signs law modifying PNP rank classification

President Rodrigo Duterte has signed a law that modifies the rank classification in the Philippine National Police and standardizes how law enforcers are being called.

The Palace has yet to release a copy of the law whose signing was confirmed by Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea on Thursday.

The law amended Section 28 of Republic Act 6975 or the Department of the Interior and Local Government Act of 1990.

Under the law, the PNP rank classification shall be as follows:

• Director-General to Police General
• Deputy Director-General to Police Lieutenant General
• Director to Police Major General
• Chief Superintendent to Police Brigadier General
• Senior Superintendent to Police Colonel
• Superintendent to Police Lieutenant Colonel
• Chief Inspector to Police Major
• Senior Inspector to Police Captain
• Inspector to Police Lieutenant
• SPO4 to Police Executive Master Sergeant
• SPO3 to Police Chief Master Sergeant
• SPO2 to Police Senior Master Sergeant
• SPO1 to Police Master Sergeant
• PO3 to Police Staff Sergeant
• PO2 to Police Corporal
• PO1 to Patrolman/Patrolwoman

Senator Panfilo Lacson earlier said the measure is geared towards the collective pursuit of eliminating confusion on how law enforcers must be addressed and, ultimately bringing policemen closer to the populace.

Lacson served as PNP chief from 1999 to 2001. — Virgil Lopez/RSJ, GMA News