Who is incoming PAOCC chief Benjamin Acorda Jr.?

Malacañang on Wednesday announced the appointment of another former Philippine National Police chief to a government post. Retired police general Benjamin Acorda Jr. was named as the new executive director of the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission. 

This body played a key role in the government’s campaign in running after Philippine offshore gambling operations (POGOs) that were linked to the spate of human trafficking and other criminal activities.

Acorda replaced Gilberto Cruz, who once served as the chief of the Philippine National Police Academy. 

A member of Philippine Military Academy (PMA) “Sambisig” Class of 1991, Acorda is also from Ilocos Norte, the home province of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.

Acorda was designated as PNP chief on April 24, 2023, replacing Rodolfo Azurin Jr. – now the special adviser of the Independent Commission for Infrastructure.

Prior to his appointment as the country's top cop, Acorda also led the PNP Directorate for Intelligence. 

As a key police official, Acorda underwent specialized trainings such as the Police Intelligence Officer Advance Course, Logistics Management Course, and a Training Course on Drug Law Enforcement for the Philippines.

He once headed the Balungao, Sison, Bolinao and Sual Municipal Police Stations in Pangasinan. He later led the Palawan Police Provincial Office from 2014 to 2016.

Acorda also served as Regional Director of the Police Regional Office 10 in Northern Mindanao, during which he earned a high public trust rating and kept crime at a minimal level.

His other previous posts are: as chief of the Camanava Criminal Investigation and Detection Team of the PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group; chief of the CIDG Region 4-B; and chief of the CIDG’s Anti-Fraud and Commercial Crimes Division.

Acorda retired from the police service in April 2024 at the age of 57 after his initial appointment as PNP chief was extended for three months. — JMA, GMA Integrated News