MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police has started preparations for the change-of-command ceremony and retirement honors for PNP chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr.
A police document dated Feb. 27 showed the PNP is looking at two dates for the activity, March 27 or April 1.
The country will be on a Holy Week break from March 28 or Maundy Thursday until March 31, Easter Sunday.
Acorda was supposed to retire on his 56th birthday on Dec. 3, 2023, but Marcos extended his service until March 31.
There is no word yet from Marcos if he will extend Acorda’s tour of duty beyond March 31.
Acorda is a member of the Philippine Military Academy Sambisig Class of 1991. Marcos appointed him as the 29th PNP chief, replacing retired police general Rodolfo Azurin Jr.
Acorda has embarked on a campaign to rid the PNP of police scalawags. Since January this year, at least 131 police officers were dismissed for grave offenses, 62 of whom for being AWOL or absent without leave.
In terms of seniority, among the possible contenders as Acorda’s successor are deputy chief for administration Lt. Gen. Emmanuel Peralta, deputy chief for operations Lt. Gen. Michael John Dubria and chief directorial staff Lt. Gen. Jon Arnaldo.
The other possible contenders are Directorate for Operations director Maj. Gen. Ronald Lee, National Capital Region Police Office director Maj. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr., Directorate for Investigation and Detective Management head Maj. Gen. Leo Francisco, Criminal Investigation and Detection Group director Maj. Gen. Romeo Caramat Jr., Directorate for Comptrollership Maj. Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil, Directorate for Police Community Relations director Maj. Gen. Edgar Alan Okubo and Special Action Force director Maj. Gen. Bernard Banac.