Interior and Local Government Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. on April 24 expressed his belief that newly appointed Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief General Benjamin Acorda Jr. is the right man for the job to lead the 228-thousand-strong police force.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. appointed Acorda as the 29th PNP Chief after General Rodolfo Azurin Jr. retired on April 24 when he reached the mandatory retirement age of 56.
Acorda is Marcos’ second PNP chief.
Prior to his appointment as PNP chief, Acorda served as Palawan Provincial Police Director from 2014 to 2016. He also served as deputy regional director for administration of the Northern Mindanao police before being named as its regional director in November 2021, and as PNP Director for Intelligence in August 2022.
Acorda came from a family that has a long line of public service in Ilocos Norte. He is a graduate of the Philippine Military Academy ‘Sambisig’ Class of 1991.
“I believe Acorda is the right person to lead the PNP because of his vast experience and integrity to fulfill the challenge of being a PNP Chief,” Abalos said.
“In this new phase of the PNP under the leadership of Acorda, the DILG will continue to support the implementation of timely changes in the police as it diligently fulfills its mandate to safeguard and protect our countrymen,” Abalos said.
“I also expect the support, cooperation, and solidarity of the entire force of the PNP to the new leadership so that he can properly fulfill his role and mandate as the head of the police,” Abalos said.
The three top officers of the command group — Deputy Chief for Administration Lt. Gen. Rhodel Sermonia, Deputy Chief for Operations Maj. Gen. Jonnel Estomo, and Lt. Gen. Michael John Dubria, Chief of the Directorial Staff, Brig. Gen. Romeo Caramat Jr., who leads the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, and National Capital Region Police Office head Maj. Gen. Edgar Alan Okubo — were among the candidates for PNP chief prior to Acorda’s appointment.
