Newly-installed national police chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda, Jr. named on Monday, May 8, two senior police officials to be on the police’s top echelons in a major reshuffle since he assumed the top police post late last month.
Acorda named Police Lt. Gen. Michael John Dubria as the number three man of the Philippine National Police (PNP), or the Deputy Chief for Operations.
Dubria replaced Police Maj. Gen. Jonnel Estomo who was designated as the head of the Directorate for Plans.
Acroda also picked Police Maj. Gen. Emmanuel Peralta as the PN’s number four man, or the Chief Directorial Staff. He assumed the post vacated by Dubria.
Police Maj. Gen. Bernard Banac, on the other hand, was named as the head of the Directorate for Information and Communications Technology Management (DICTM), replacing Police Maj. Gen. Valeriano T. De Leon who reached the mandatory retirement age last week.
Peralta’s previous post as head of the Directorate for Operations was given to Police Brig. Gen. Leo Francisco, formerly head of the Western Visayas regional police.
In his speech during the flag-raising ceremony, Acorda reiterated his stand of ensuring that merit, ability and moral ascendancy will be observed in the placement and promotions in the PNP.
Reorganization is expected in the coming days and Acorda wants the PNP Senior Officer Placement and Promotions Board (SOPPB) to be active in looking for what he described as the right people for the right job.
“I have tasked the SOPPB members to conduct proper deliberations to ensure that their recommendations are fair, objective and acceptable to all,” said Acorda.
In the same speech, Acorda disclosed his five-point focused agenda, which he said, will guide his leadership in the PNP.
Acorda’s action plan centers on five key areas: prioritizing aggressive and honest law enforcement operations that respect human rights and increase conviction rates; boosting personnel morale and welfare; enhancing integrity, which is the foundation of their profession; investing in information and communication technology development; and community engagement.
"As we progress into the upcoming week, let us always keep in mind the noble purpose of our profession. Let us work together towards a common goal of providing 'Serbisyong Nagkakaisa' - a united and excellent service to our people,” said Acaorda.
“Together, we remain an outstanding exemplar of service, not just in the Philippines, but also across the globe. I am confident that together, we can make the PNP a stronger and more effective organization that serves the best interests of our country and our people,” he added.