New top cop vows to continue cleansing

MANILA, Philippines — As “vanguards of peace” is how newly appointed Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Maj. Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr. wants the police force to be regarded under his leadership.

Acorda, former director for intelligence, was named to the top PNP post on the same day as the retirement of his predecessor Gen. Rodolfo Azurin Jr., who reached the mandatory retirement age of 56. Acorda is the 29th PNP chief and the second appointed by Marcos.

In his speech yesterday, Acorda declared that under his watch, the PNP would “be vanguards of peace to ensure a safe and economically stable community.”

“Under my leadership, we will be your partner in ensuring a secure, peaceful and crime-free community,” he said.

He also vowed to continue Azurin’s advocacy of cleansing the PNP.

“Together we will overcome the challenges the organization is facing. Together, we will prove that the PNP serves with dignity and professionalism. As your humble servant I will do my best and lead by example,” Acorda said.

“We shall be relentless in our anti-criminality campaign through intensive police visibility and sincere police presence. We will not rest until every Filipino feels safe and secure in their homes, in their streets and in their places of work,” he added.

He said he would make sure no member of the police force would be involved in the illegal drug trade, as he described his own approach to the problem as “holistic in prevention and aggressive in operations.”

“We will establish unity, promote patriotism, uplift morale, strengthen cooperation and instill discipline in our organization,” the new PNP chief said.

Acorda, who was promoted to the rank of general yesterday, is a member of the Philippine Military Academy “Sambisig” Class of 1991. He is slated to retire on Dec. 3 this year on reaching the retirement age of 56.

In a statement, the PNP said Acorda’s career “is based on many years of operational experience as a junior and field grade officer in PNP operational support and line units in Northern Luzon, particularly in Ilocos Norte and Bugallon, Pangasinan.”

He also served as the chief of counterintelligence and security division of the DI in April 2017; Regional Intelligence Division chief of the National Capital Region Police Office in May 2018; Explosive Management Division Chief of the Civil Security Group in 2021.

Crossroads

For his part, Azurin admitted the police force is at a crossroads, as it confronts issues and pursues the purge of scalawags at the same time.

“The PNP is now under scrutiny but I trust our Lord and people that justice will be on our side once we have brought to justice those involved in the proliferation of drugs in our country,” Azurin said.

“In a few days, more reports will come out and I hope my successor will be able to continue what we started and pursue this cause,” he added.

“I unmasked the syndicates in the PNP that damaged its reputation, showing my strategy and I quote, ‘Step on the tail, and you will see the head,’” he pointed out.

“Under your administration, I assure you that in the war on drugs, we will not name names or accuse anyone without sufficient evidence and [there were] cases filed against those who are involved,” he said.

Azurin, in his speech, thanked President Marcos for his trust. He also expressed gratitude to Department of the Interior and Local Government Secretary Benhur Abalos, former defense chief Gilbert Teodoro, Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong and Office of the Presidential Adviser on Military Affairs Undersecretary Isagani Nerez.

He also boasted of helping keep the country stable with the help of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.