PNP Chief Acorda: No revamp yet in police organization

Newly installed Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Police General Benjamin Acorda Jr. on Tuesday said he is not yet planning to implement a revamp in the police organization

“When it comes to revamps, wala pa tayong iniisip na revamps (I am not yet thinking about revamps),” Acorda said at a press conference right after his first command conference as PNP Chief.

Acorda also said he discussed the matter during the command conference.

Furthermore, any movements in the police organization would be based on policies, guidelines, merit, ability, capability, and moral ascendancy.

“This will be the basic set of qualifications na ise-set ng [Senior Officers Placement and Promotion Board] natin (that our SOPB will set),” he said.

“This SOPB will be empowered to make sure that no policies are violated and also the candidates are scrutinized,” he added.

During the press conference, Acorda was joined by PNP Deputy Chief for Administration Police Lieutenant General Rhodel Sermonia and PNP Directorate for Police Community Relations Director Police Major General Mario Reyes.

Asked if these officials were part of the new PNP Command Group, PNP spokesperson Police Colonel Jean Fajardo said they were not.

Fajardo said PNP Deputy Chief for Operations Police Major General Jonnel Estomo did not make it to the press conference due to a prior commitment.

“Yung ating PNP Command Group, as we speak, remains as it is,” Fajardo added.

Meanwhile, Acorda said his marching orders during his PNP command conference were to address illegal drugs, the insurgency, terrorism, and scalawags. — DVM, GMA Integrated News