PHILIPPINE National Police chief General Benjamin C. Acorda Jr. on Tuesday called on all his newly-promoted officials to ensure they will uphold institutional development and not use their rank for their own personal interests.

For the top cop, every PNP officer and men should bear in their minds that ‘institution first before self’ is what they need to observe in order for the 228,000-strong organization to be truly professional.

“Use your rank in upholding institutional development. Your promotion is a testament to your hard work and dedication to service, a reflection of your outstanding performance,” he told nine newly-promoted star-rank officers who took their oath of office before him at the Camp Crame Multi-Purpose Center.

The nine were led by newly-promoted Major Generals Rudolph B. Dimas, Victor K. Wanchakan and Harold B. Tuzon.

The others are new Police Brigadier Generals Victor V. Arevalo, Lex Ephriam C. Gurat, Paul Kenneth T. Lucas, Redrico A. Maranan, Roderick D. Mariano and Alfred K. Dangani.

The nine donned their new ranks as Gen. Acorda implemented another reshuffle in the force which affected five senior officials.

Named as new PNP Deputy Chief for Operations was Lieutenant Gen. Michael John F. Dubria while Major Gen. Emmanuel B. Peralta was designated as the new PNP The Chief of Directorial Staff vice Dubria. Both Peralta and Dubria are classmates of Gen. Acorda from Philippine Military Academy ‘Sambisig’ Class of 1991.

Erstwhile PNP-DCO Maj. Gen. Jonnel C. Estomo was designated as the new PNP Director for Plans vice his classmate from PMA ‘Tanglaw-Diwa’ Class of 1999, Maj. Gen. Barnard M. Banac who was named as the new PNP Director for Information Communications and Technology Management.

Another member of PMA Class 1992, Brigadier Gen. Leo M. Francisco was named as the new PNP Director for Operations vice Maj. Gen. Peralta. There is still no official word on who will replace Francisco as Police Regional Office 6 director in Western Visayas as of press time.

President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ R. Marcos Jr. approved the promotion of the nine star-rank officers following a recommendation from the National Police Commission last April 28.

Their promotion means that they were among the 917 3rd-Level PNP Officers whose resignation from the force were not accepted by President Marcos. The promotion of the eight on a permanent status became effective last April 28 but Official Orders from the PNP were issued only last May 4.

All are products of the PNP Academy.

The officials were screened by a 5-Man Committee chaired by former PNP chief, now retired Gen. Rodolfo S. Azurin Jr. Other members of the advisory group are retired General-turned Baguio City Mayor Benjamin B. Magalong, former Defense Secretary Gilbert C. Teodoro; Office of the Presidential Adviser on Military and Police Affairs, retired General and now Undersecretary Isagani R. Nerez and retired Court of Appeals Association Justice Melchor Q. Sadang