HAPPY BIRTHDAY
PHILIPPINE National Police chief, General Benjamin C. Acorda Jr. on Sunday marked his 56th birthday-the official retirement age of members of the police force—with Malacañang Palace yet to say if he would get an extended term or be replaced by another official.
Technically, the 29th PNP chief is considered officially retired from the police force after reaching the age of 56. However, President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ R. Marcos Jr. has the prerogative to extend the latter’s term in case he opts not to designate the country’s new top cop.
On Saturday, a Facebook post claiming that PNP Director for Comptrollership, Major Gen. Rommel Francisco D. Marbil has been appointed as the new PNP chief was circulated although the PNP described it as a fake news.
“This is to inform the public that the Facebook post showing the picture of PMGen. Rommel Francisco D. Marbil, as the new Chief PNP, circulating in social media using the template of PNP-PIO, is fake and not issued by the PNP Public information Office,” said PNP-PIO chief and spokesperson, Colonel Jean S. Fajardo.
“The PNP denies any association with this post and clarifies that it does not represent an official announcement or endorsement. We encourage everyone to please exercise caution, and refer to the official website and Facebook page of the PNP for any announcements and updates,” Col. Fajardo added.
Maj. Gen. Marbil, a classmate of Gen. Acorda from Philippine Military Academy ‘Sambisig’ Class of 1991 told the Journal Group that he has asked the PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group to find the source of the fake news.
Last Friday, the scheduled Change of Command ceremonies at Camp Crame was postponed until further notice.
Supposed to be, there will be a turnover rites between Gen. Acorda and his successor.
However, the ceremony and the succeeding PNP Command Conference to be presided over by whoever will be Gen. Acorda’s successor was postponed until further notice.
Instead, the PNP National Headquarters instructed all commanders of the five Area Police Commands and the directors of the 17 Police Regional Offices and the National Operational and Administrative Support Units to be on standby in Metro Manila until Sunday for any development.
