PNP turnover rites moved; successor yet to be named

FILE PHOTO: Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief General Benjamin Acorda. Photo from the Official Facebook page of PGen Benjamin Acorda Jr.

Philippine National Police chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr. was supposed to relinquish his post on Wednesday but the change of command ceremony has been moved to Monday, after the Holy Week break.

A change of command ceremony that was to be led by President Marcos at Camp Crame was set on Wednesday. But on Tuesday night, the PNP public information office told reporters the event would be rescheduled to April 1.

No explanation was given for the sudden change in schedule. On the eve of the ceremony, preparations and rehearsals for the turnover were underway at the police headquarters, although Acorda’s successor has yet to be named.

Acorda, who took the helm of the PNP in April last year, reached the retirement age of 56 on Dec. 3. His tour of duty, however, was extended by Mr. Marcos until March 31.

READ: ‘PNP change of command next week, no info yet on new chief’

Based on seniority, among the possible contenders to replace Acorda are PNP deputy chief for administration Lt. Gen. Emmanuel Peralta, deputy chief for operations, Lt. Gen. Michael John Dubria and chief directorial staff, Lt. Gen. Jon Arnaldo. —Frances Mangosing