ACORDA IS 29TH PNP CHIEF
PNA photo
‘Humble servant from the North’
PRESIDENT Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ R. Marcos Jr. on Monday morning installed Major General Benjamin Casuga Acorda Jr., a known ‘humble servant from the North’ as his 2nd Philippine National Police (PNP) chief and the 29th to head the 228,000-strong organization since its creation in 1991.
A member of Philippine Military Academy ‘Sambisig’ Class of 1991, Maj. Gen. Acorda, erstwhile PNP Director for Intelligence was immediately promoted to the 4 star-rank of a Police General after taking over the PNP leadership vice newly-retired Gen. Rodolfo S. Azurin Jr.
“I thank the Almighty God for the opportunity to serve Him and our country. My heartfelt gratitude to our President. I am very humbled for the trust and confidence to be an instrument of peace and justice for every Filipino. Sir, as the Chief, PNP, together with the 228,000-strong PNP personnel, my uncompromising commitment to you, Mr. President and to our fellow countrymen that we, under your administration will be vanguards of peace to ensure a safe and economically stable community,” the new top cop said.
Gen. Acorda vowed to lead the police force in its steadfast commitment to provide better police service even as he thanked Department of Interior and Local Government Secretary Benjamin ‘Benhur’ C. Abalos Jr. and Gen. Azurin for their dedication to service.
He told Sec. Abalos that under his leadership, “we will be your partner in ensuring a secure, peaceful and crime-free community.”
The new PNP chief likewise thanked his predecessor for “the wisdom and exceptional legacy you have imparted in the organization. Rest assured that I will continue your advocacy in cleansing the PNP,” he said.
Gen. Acorda also called on the media to be their partners, not foes in bringing progress to the country. “To the media, our long-time partners, we welcome critics as our independent source of check and balance. 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 declared.
“I am soliciting the support of everyone for I cannot do it alone. I ask for your cooperation, your support and your commitment. Together we will overcome the challenges the organization is facing,” he added.
Gen. Acorda vowed that under him, the PNP will continue to serve 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.
The new PNP chief at the same time vowed an unrelenting anti-criminality campaign nationwide. “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 the streets and in their places of work,” he said.
Gen. Acorda also underscored his commitment to continue the massive anti-illegal drugs campaign started by Gen. Azurin. “My stand on anti-illegal drugs is clear: 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 every one of you. Our fight will be holistic in prevention and aggressive in operations,” he emphasized.
He also vowed that under him, the PNP’s ‘reward and punishment’ program will be quick and decisive. “It shall be fair and impartial and due process shall be observed. We will establish unity, patriotism, uplift morale, strengthen cooperation and instill discipline in the organization,” he said.
Gen. Acorda likewise bared that he will give full premium to the morale and welfare of the men and women in the organization where ‘assignments and positioning will be based on merit, ability and moral ascendancy’ will be the norm in placement and promotion.
Known as the ‘Gentleman from the North,’ Gen. Acorda became the 29th PNP chief since the PNP was established in 1991.
A highly-decorated police officer, he is a recipient of the Bronze Cross Medal, a prestigious single grade military decoration of the Armed Forces of the Philippines which is awarded for ‘heroism involving risk of life.’
Gen. Acorda consistently invested in learning and growing to further hone his skills as a public servant.
As a Commander, he headed the Balungao, Sison, Bolinao and Sual Municipal Police Stations in Pangasinan and later, the Palawan Police Provincial Office from 2014 to 2016. As Palawan police chief, he turned the local police force to No. 1 in operational accomplishments from being No. 5 in the entire Mimaropa region.
He also delivered sincere and dedicated service as the Regional Director of the Police Regional Office 10 in Northern Mindanao which earned a high public trust rating and kept crime at a minimal level during his stint as RD.
As an Investigator, he was once chief of the Camanava Criminal Investigation and Detection Team of the PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group; was a former CIDG Region 4-B chief; and headed the CIDG Anti-Fraud and Commercial Crimes Division which solved a number of major crimes in Metro Manila and other parts of the country.
Maj. Gen. Acorda also used to be Chief of the Operations and Plans’ Branch, an Intelligence Officer and an Assistant Provincial Director for Operations of the Ilocos Norte Police Provincial Office in 2008 and a CIDG Deputy Chief of Operations in 2010. He also was once Deputy Director for Operations and later Deputy Director for Administration of the National Capital Region Police Office.
The official was also a former chief of staff of the PNP Civil Security Group and briefly commanded the PNP Integrity Monitoring and Enforcement Group created to go after rogues in police uniform.
A veteran operations and intelligence officer, Acorda earned his 1st star as Executive Officer of the PNP-DI.
As PRO10 director, he led all police operations to ensure a peaceful and orderly May 2023 election in Northern Mindanao despite many challenges. While PRO10 director, he led his men in arresting 2,049 wanted persons while accounting for 79 New People’s Army members in the region apart from neutralizing 17 others during police offensive operations.
As Northern Mindanao police director, he dismissed 149 erring police personnel while leading various anti-drugs and anti-criminality operations which resulted in the seizure of nearly P35 million worth of shabu and dried marijuana leaves and more than 500 illegal weapons.
