Former Philippine National Police (PNP) chief, Retired Police General Benjamin Acorda Jr., maintained that he only did what was best for the country after photos of him with individuals allegedly connected to Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs) surfaced during a Senate hearing on Tuesday.
“What I can only say is that I love my country and the PNP organization,” Acorda stated in a message to reporters.
During Acorda’s tenure as the PNP’s top officer, law enforcement operations against illegal POGOs, which were allegedly involved in various criminal activities, were intensified.
“I did what needs to be done as a Filipino, and I fulfilled that duty as a police officer,” Acorda asserted.
Police Major General Leo Francisco, Director of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), will continue investigating the former PNP chief, who is accused of helping dismissed Bamban Mayor Alice Guo escape the country, despite the source of this information admitting it was based solely on rumor.
“The CIDG will continue its investigation on the matter, and we will not stop,” Francisco told reporters.
PNP Chief Police General Rommel Francisco Marbil has ordered an inquiry into which of the 24 former police chiefs who are still alive may be on Guo’s payroll.
