New top cop Acorda can ‘calm PNP situation’ — Bongbong Marcos
President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. with new Philippine National Police chief Maj. Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr. at the change of command ceremony Monday morning at Camp Crame, Quezon City.
MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Monday said he believes newly-installed chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP) Maj. Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr. is the best person to “calm” the situation in the police force.
Marcos said that Acorda, who is a fellow Ilocano, is “well-known” to him and is “well-recognized” within the national police force.
“Dito sa amin, sa loob, his name was always part of the shortlist. He is well-recognized in the police force. Naririnig namin ‘yung pangalan niya at maganda naman ang mga report sa kanya,” he said in an online radio interview with Erwin Tulfo, former Social Welfare Secretary.
(He was always part of the shortlist. We have been hearing his name and reports about him are good.)
“Kaya sabi ko siguro siya ang pinakabagay sa ngayon para pakalmahin natin ang sitwasyon ngayon na umiiral sa PNP,” Marcos added.
(So I said maybe he is the most suitable candidate to calm the situation in the PNP.)
The President explained that the police force is undergoing some reforms initiatives, including the proposed housing for personnel and their pensions, as well as the drive against police officers involved in illegal drugs.
He believes that Acorda, whom he described as “very steady,” can do the job.
“Lahat yan ay sabay sabay nating ginawa dahil kailangan na talagang ayusin kaya sa aking palagay very steady naman ang ating bagong PNP chief kaya makakalma niya yan hanggang matapos ang trabaho,” Marcos said.
(We are all doing that at the same time because we need to organize our ranks. I think the new PNP chief is very steady and he can calm the situation until the job is finished.)
Acorda replaced former PNP chief Gen. Rodolfo Azurin Jr. who retired from the police force on Monday after reaching the mandatory age of retirement of 56.
