“The PNP has emerged as one of the top five most trusted among 25 government agencies”
Former President Fidel V. Ramos once paraphrased Leo Oracion, the first Filipino to conquer Mt. Everest in May 2006, saying: “Going up to the top is optional but coming back down is mandatory because you cannot stay at the top forever.”
Unless extended by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr. will step down as Chief of the 224,000-strong Philippine National Police on Dec. 3, 2023.
I interviewed him at his office in Camp Crame last Nov. 3 where we discussed several topics from our book project on the late former PNP Chief Gen. Leandro Mendoza whom he served as aide de camp for five years to national security issues and his journey to the top rung of the national police.
Our friendship goes back to 1993 when we worked together under the tutelage of then Pangasinan provincial director Col. Amado Espino Jr.
Then a lieutenant, Jun and I teamed up for special projects like the Lingayen Gulf War, a crusade to save the endangered gulf; Pista’y Dayat; 1995 Palarong Pambansa; the Sual Coal Power Plant and the San Roque Multi-Purpose Dam.
Thirty years after, we teamed up with Gen. Reynaldo Velasco.
When he took over the helm on April 4, Gen. Acorda anchored his leadership on 5-focused agenda for a better and more effective police force: 1) Personnel Morale and Welfare; 2) Community Engagement; 3) Integrity Enhancement; 4) ICT Development; and, 5) Honest Law Enforcement Operations.
His crowning achievements as PNP Chief include the drop by 8.24 of index crime volume based on the Crime Information Reporting and Analysis System.
From Jan. 1 to Oct. 31, 2023, there were only 34,908 recorded cases and dropped to 2,877 cases or 8.24 percent compared to the same period last year.
The PNP also concentrated on “8 focus crimes” like murder, homicide, physical injury, robbery, theft, rape, car and motor theft.
That resulted in a drop by 8.18 percent, from 34,702 cases in 2022 to only 31,864 in 2023.
He said: “These promising outcomes stand as a clear testament to the tireless and coordinated efforts of the PNP contrary to popular narratives.
“The statistics undeniably demonstrate a noteworthy decline in the overall crime rate during the 10 months of 2023.
“This success reflects the PNP’s commitment to ‘Serbisyong Nagkakaisa’ and our unwavering vow to decisively suppress criminal activities, ensuring the safety and security of our communities.”
With barely seven months in office, he made the PNP emerge as one of the top five most trusted among 25 government agencies based on the Tugon ng Masa survey commissioned by Octa Research.
Their ratings were: CHEd, 80 percent; DepEd, 79 percent; PNP, 76 percent; DOH, 75 percent; and DSWD, 73 percent.
Pleased at having achieved what every police officer has aspired to, Gen. Acorda laments that as Chief PNP he should have been given more leeway in pushing for the well-deserved promotions of fellow officers.
He has written both houses of Congress that the gridlock affecting the promotions involving the National Police Commission be resolved by legislative and executive means to recognize all police officers who are ripe for promotion based on merit, seniority and performance.
What stood out in our almost two-hour meeting was Gen. Jun Acorda’s undying sense of patriotism whose love for country shines brightly as the sun, moon and stars.
He gifted me with a patriotic medallion emblazoned with Makabansa, Maka Diyos at Maka Tao.
Along with the medallion is a call for patriotism printed on a small sheet of paper titled Makabansa…Pilipino.
I wish he could serve longer and extended as PNP chief especially with the national security concerns and current geopolitics.
At the testimonial parade at the Philippine Military Academy where he was awarded the “Outstanding PMA Alumnus,” Gen. Acorda said:
“I can say the PMA is a bastion of idealism…One is reminded to always follow the right path because the cadet corps is always a magnet for idealism.
“The magic is never lost in embracing love for country, serving the nation with professionalism and idealism will always be there.”
We salute the PNP Chief!
(The author is president and executive director of the Million Trees Foundation Inc., a non-profit group advocating tree planting and watershed protection. He is also a book writer and publisher of biographical and coffee table books.)