THE new chief of the Philippine National Police yesterday vowed to be unrelenting in the fight against criminality as he issued a stern warning to policemen who may be involved in illegal drugs.
Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr assumed command of the 228,000-strong police force yesterday in rites presided over by President Marcos Jr at Camp Crame. His appointment was announced moments before the turnover rites.
Acorda replaced Gen. Rodolfo Azurin Jr who reached the mandatory retirement age of 56.
Acorda, a member of the Philippine Military Academy Class of 1991, was PNP director for intelligence prior to his designation as PNP chief. He will reach the retirement age on December 3 this year.
President Marcos administered Acorda’s oath-taking as 29th PNP chief and he donning of Acorda’s new rank, to general from major general.
In his address, Acorda thanked the President for naming him PNP chief. “I am very humbled for the trust and confidence to be an instrument of peace and justice for every Filipino,” he said.
Acorda said the PNP, under his watch, “will be vanguards of peace to ensure a safe and economically stable community”, adding they will be “steadfast in providing better police service.”
Acorda also expressed gratitude to Interior Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr for the latter’s “unwavering support and dedication to the PNP organization. He told Abalos that the PNP “will be your partner in ensuring a secure, peaceful and crime-free community.”
“To my predecessor, Gen. Rodolfo Azurin Jr., Sir, thank you for the wisdom and exceptional legacy you have imparted in the organization. Rest assured sir that I will continue your advocacy in cleansing the PNP,” Acorda also said.
He said he welcomes criticisms from media. “We are allies in bringing out the truth. We need your support to inform the public of our endeavors for peace and order. We will be transparent,” he said.
Acorda sought the support of the public “for I cannot do it (job) alone.”
“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. Let us work together for the betterment of our country,” he said.
Acorda presented his thrust in the campaign against criminality and his strong stance against policemen who might be linked to the illegal drugs trade.
“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 said.
Acorda said his stance against illegal drugs is “clear,” adding “no police should be involved in pushing, using or whatever means of illegal drug trade.”
“You will be charged and removed from the service. This is my warning to each and everyone of you. Our fight will be holistic in prevention and aggressive in operations,” added Acorda.
He said the PNP, under his leadership, will be “quick and decisive” in rewarding and punishing police personnel. He said this will be “fair and impartial and due process shall be observed.”
Acorda vowed to establish unity, promote patriotism, uplift the morale and strengthen cooperation and instill discipline in the police force.
“As we give premium to the morale and welfare to the men and women in our organization, assignments and positioning will be based on merit, ability and morale ascendancy,” added Acorda.
Also, he said the PNP “will protect the delivery of basic services to the disadvantaged Filipinos in the hinterlands and to the urban poor.”
He said he will strive to make the PNP “worthy of the trust and confidence of the public.”
“To the men and women of the PNP, I challenge you to always do the right thing. Let us hate crime and fight criminals,” said Acorda.
Acorda is the second PNP chief named by President Marcos during his six- year term.
The first was Azurin, who assumed as PNP chief in August, replacing Lt. Gen. Vicente Danao who was designated as the PNP officer-in-charge in May last year by then President Duterte. Danao is now the commander of the Area Police Command-Western Mindanao.
Acorda, a native of Ilocos Norte, has held other key positions in the PNP. He served as director for intelligence, director of the PNP Northern Mindanao regional police office, deputy director for operations, deputy chief for administration of the National Capital Police Office, and director of the PNP integrity Monitoring and Enforcement Group, a unit tasked to go after erring policemen.
JUSTICE
Azurin, in his retirement speech, said he received praises and criticisms in the fight against illegal drugs during his term, specifically for the seizure of 990 kilos of shabu, worth P6.7 billion, in Manila in October last year.
“Hell broke loose when many tried to dip their fingers on the issue. 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 to those involved to the proliferation of drugs in our country,” said Azurin.
Azurin said more reports against those involved in illegal drugs are due to come out in the coming days “and I hope my successor (Acorda) will be able to continue what we started and pursue this cause.”
Azurin said he has also unmasked “syndicates in the PNP that damaged its reputation.”
Azurin said he achieved the goals he has set before he assumed as PNP eight months ago, noting that aggressive fight against criminals led to improved peace, and stability in the country and there were no reports of destabilization efforts during the Marcos administration.
HEINOUS CRIMES
The President told the PNP to remain strong and formidable amid recent disconcerting news about “audacious commission of heinous crimes and corrupt practices” and the “flagrant assaults against persons and property” in the country.
“These are pressing challenges that impact upon the government’s capability to effectively maintain order and justice in our country. Hence, in the face of all these, we must ensure all the more that our law enforcement agencies–especially our police force–remain to be strong and formidable. They must be effective in their intelligence and investigations, operations, in the enforcement of accountability and of course, the rule of law, without fear or favor,” he said.
Marcos said he also expects Acorda to lead a good example and guide the PNP towards rebuilding and strengthening, continuous improvement and capacity-building.
“As you do so, enhance operational ties with other law enforcement agencies, both on the local and national levels. Ensure integrated, coordinated and systematic approaches in addressing our peace and order and internal security issues,” he said.
The President said the PNP should make its presence felt in the streets and make it safer; defend the democratic institutions and its deals; and protect the people especially the weak, the vulnerable, and those who indirectly work with the government such as journalists, civic action groups, civil volunteers, [and] the like.
DEPENDABLE
Marcos, in a radio interview after the ceremony, said he chose Acorda because he needs someone he knows and could depend on in the police force.
He said that while the name of Acorda is not mentioned a lot as the other police officers, he is often in PNP shortlist, is well-known among the police force, and someone that he personally knows.
The President said he is aware of the capabilities, track record and what Acorda can do.
Marcos also expects Acorda to help “calm the situation in the police,” as reforms are being pursued along with the investigations and efforts to determine those involved in drug syndicates.
The President thanked Azurin for his leadership and for his role in advocating the refinement of the ideal peace and security framework for the country, Malasakit, Kaayusan, Kapayapaan, tungo sa Kaunlaran.
Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri said he is confident Acorda can lower the overall crime rate in the country the same way the top cop did when he was the chief of the Northern Mindanao (Region 10) Police Regional Office last year.
He said Acorda was able to bring down Northern Mindanao region’s crime rate by 9.4 percent from January to June last year.
Sen. Ronald dela Rosa, a former PNP chief, said the President made the right choice in Acorda.
“Gen Acorda’s exposure is in the field of intelligence particularly counter-intelligence which is badly needed in the internal cleansing program of the PNP. He is a silent operator and a very professional officer who doesn’t give in to pressures from selfish politicians,” he said. — With Jocelyn Montemayor and Raymond Africa
