Acorda, head of intelligence directorate, is next PNP chief
MANILA, Philippines (Update 2; 9:35 a.m.) — Police Maj. Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr., chief of the Directorate for Intelligence, will be leading the Philippine National Police as Police Gen. Rodolfo Azurin Jr. retires from the service.
Acorda was named incoming national police chief on the program for the change-of-command ceremony at the national police hedquarters in Camp Crame in Quezon City.
According to a copy of his appointment papers tweeted by Inquirer.net, Acorda's appointment is effective Monday, April 24.
The designation as PNP chief, comes with the rank of police general, the highest in the police organization and which President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. conferred on Azurin as he took command of the more than 220,000 personnel of the PNP.
In his first remarks as PNP chief, Acorda gave Marcos his "uncompromising commitment" that the national police will "be vanguards of peace to ensure a safe and economically stable community" and that the PNP will be "steadfast in providing better police service."
Internal cleansing to continue
He said he would continue his predecessor's campaign to clean up the police organization. Azurin was among the first of the general officers of the PNP to hand in a courtesy resignation as requested by Interior and Local Government Secretary Benhur Abalos, a move that Abalos acknowledged was a "short cut" to ridding the police force of top-level officers allegedly involved in illegal drugs.
"My stand on anti-illegal drugs is clear. No police should be invoilved 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 every one," he said.
Marcos promises full support, expects accountability
In his own remarks, Marcos promised the PNP the government's full support as he said that it must ensure that law enforcement agencies remain strong and formidable.
The president added that he hopes Acorda will set a good example for the PNP as he also advised the new chief to work closely with other law enforcement agencies in addressing issues in peace and order and in internal security.
"Serve the people with integrity, with accountability, and genuine justice. always be open to public scrutiny and practice restraint and maximum toleranc ein the face of harsh criticism," the president also told Acorda.
Azurin honored
Before moving to the Directorate for Intelligence, Acorda was regional director of Cagayan de Oro-headquartered Police Regional Office-10, where he was also previously named deputy regional director for administration.
He also previously served as head of intelligence for the National Capital Region Police Office.
Acorda, who hails from La Union, graduating from the Philippine Military Academy with the Sambisig Class of 1991.
Azurin, his predecessor, was named PNP chief last August.
Honored with a testimonial parade at the PMA on Sunday, Azurin referred to his stint as national police chief as a roller-coaster ride, telling reporters that that was "the best way I would describe (my tenure), most of the time down but we recover somehow."
Azurin was given retirement honors and inducted into the Philippine Legion of Honor with the rank of commander.
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