New PNP chief to be appointed by next week

Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos | PHOTO: Official facebook page of Benhur Abalos

The Philippine National Police is expected to have a new chief next week as Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr. retires, although his successor remains unknown.

The next PNP chief will no doubt have a full plate of issues to deal with, including cybercrime, drugs and index crimes, Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos told reporters on Wednesday.

Acorda, who took the helm of the 228,000-strong PNP in April 2023, reached the retirement age of 56 on Dec. 3, but President Marcos extended his tour of duty until March 31.

Abalos said he has three to four names on his shortlist that he will submit to the President, but he declined to identify them. PNP acting public information office chief Col. Jean Fajardo said earlier that preparations were underway for the change of command ceremony on March 27.

READ: New PNP chief Acorda: More good cops than bad cops

Based on seniority, among the possible contenders were PNP deputy chief of administration Lt. Gen. Emmanuel Peralta, deputy chief of operations, Lt. Gen. Michael John Dubria and chief directorial staff Lt. Gen. Jon Arnaldo.

Other senior officials who may be considered include: Directorate for Operations head Maj. Gen. Ronald Lee; National Capital Region Police Office director Maj. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr.; Directorate for Investigation and Detective Management head Maj. Gen. Leo Francisco; Criminal Investigation and Detection Group director Maj. Gen. Romeo Caramat Jr.; Directorate for Comptrollership head Maj. Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil; Directorate for Police Community Relations head Maj. Gen. Edgar Alan Okubo and Special Action Force director Maj. Gen. Bernard Banac. —FRANCES MANGOSING