“My uncompromising commitment to you Mr. President and to our fellow countrymen: We, under your administration, will be vanguards of peace to ensure a safe and economically stable community.”
Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr. stressed this in his inaugural speech as the 29th chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP).
To ensure a safe community, Acorda said, the 228,000-strong PNP “shall be relentless in the anti-criminality campaign through intensive police visibility and sincere police presence. We will not rest until every Filipino feels safe and secure in their homes, streets, and places of work.”
With his appointment coming at a time when the PNP is mired in the illegal drugs controversy, Acorda also made known his stand on the government’s war on drugs. “No police should be involved in pushing, using, or whatever means of illegal trade. You will be charged and removed from the service.”
“This is my warning to everyone: Our fight will be holistic in prevention and aggressive in operation,” he said. “Under my leadership, rewards and punishment will be quick and decisive. We shall be fair and impartial and due process shall be observed, we will establish unity, promote patriotism and uplift morale, strengthen cooperation, and instill discipline in the organization.”
Acorda said the PNP will also focus on strategies in support of the Marcos administration’s development plans, pointing out that the police organization will be a main player in this agenda through peace and order. He was apparently referring to the Philippine Development Plan (PDP) 2023-2028, which underscores the vital role of peace in attaining this goal.
The pursuit of a no-nonsense anti-criminality campaign is something that is expected from someone with a military and law enforcement background.
But Acorda took a step further when he committed to focus on strategies in support of the country’s development plans, rather unusual coming from someone perceived to be adept in peace and order concerns.
Acorda is setting the bar high as he has a bigger agenda—to help the Marcos administration attain its economic development goals.
While Acorda’s thrust is a surprise coming from a police officer, it is a step in the right direction.
Peace and order is a vital component in economic development.
As Swedish diplomat and former United Nations deputy secretary-general Jan Eliasson once said: “Without peace there is no development, and without development there is no peace.”
Under the Marcos administration’s PDP 2023-2028, ensuring peace and security is one of its vital components in attaining these development goals. It states: “In pursuing economic transformation, the manifestation of peace and security is a necessary condition in allowing the implementation of development activities that could bring in more and better opportunities for the people. This is attainable if conflict-vulnerable areas are protected and developed, the quality of life is safeguarded from criminality, and communities are safe from natural hazards and other security threats.”
There is no doubt that this lofty objective set by Acorda is a daunting task. But this is attainable for as long as he has the unequivocal support of the entire police force and the public, in general.
And with President Marcos already vowing full support to Acorda’s leadership, the challenge now is in the hands of the 228,000-strong PNP.
Acorda has barely eight months to accomplish his agenda.
Will the entire police force be in accord with Acorda’s thrust? Only time will tell.
But we will be looking forward to Acorda’s success for the sake of a safe and economically stable community.