THE Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption (VACC) asked President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ R. Marcos Jr. to pick a successor of Philippine National Police chief General Benjamin C. Acorda Jr. who will also lead by example and must have ‘iron-fist’ policy against rogues in uniform and criminals.

VACC president Arsenio ‘Boy’ Evangelista said his group wants a top cop known for a very good reputation; and one who is highly-respected by both ‘internal and external audience,’ meaning a general who is ‘respected by law-abiders but feared by criminals.’

Acorda is set to retire on his 56th birthday on December 3. There is still no word on whether the Commander-in-Chief will extend the term of Acorda or appoint his worthy successor.

Having an ‘iron-fist policy’ when it comes to fighting criminality and rogues in uniform are the top qualities the PNP chief must possess, Evangelista said.

He cited incidents of illegal drug activities, kidnappings, robbery-holdup, ‘hulidap’ and ‘bangketa’cases involving police officers and men who were also arrested by their colleagues, many of them ordered dismissed by Acorda this year.

They include the erring cops in Imus City for involvement in a viral robbery-holdup video; the case of a teenager in Malabon City shot and killed by a group of bumbling local policemen; and the case of police major charged in connection with the mysterious disappearance of a beauty queen in Batangas.

“Lahat ng major crimes nandun sila (rogues in uniform) kaya it’s very frustrating. Kaya ang gusto namin sa next PNP Chief should impose the internal cleansing kahit sino ang masagasaan. Kahit rank na 3-Star o 2-Star, o Middle-Level Officers kailangan talaga ay kamay na bakal,” the VACC leader added.

Evangelista also batted for a top cop that would have the courage to say no to politicians and other influence-peddlers when the morale and welfare of his officers and men is concerned, particularly when it comes to placement and promotion.

Acorda was praised by his generals and colonels for seeing to it that he will have the ‘eyes and ears’ of President Marcos Jr. when it comes to releasing the much-delayed promotion papers of 3rd-Level Officers , some of them waiting for their promotion as early as January this year.

Mr. Evangelista also called on whoever will be the next PNP chief to stay away from the so-called ‘Bata-Bata System.’

He also said there is a need for the PNP chief to ensure that recommendations from the PNP Senior Officers Placement and Promotion Board would be followed and not ‘influenced’ by external factors and ‘lobbyists.’

Evangelista supported a move by Congress to extend the retirement age of the police from 56 to 57 and for a PNP chief to have a fixed term of 2 to 3-years.

Evangelista gave Acorda a ‘very good grade’ as PNP chief.

“I will give him a grade of at least 7 to 8, kung ang highest is 10 when it comes to internal cleansing and other major initiatives ng PNP na itinuloy naman niya,” the VACC president said.