A politicized police and military forces leads to dysfunctional institutions and eventually results in the failure of a country as a working state, the top official of the Philippine National Police (PNP) said on Monday, Feb. 12, amid the current bickering of two major political forces.

This is the reason, according to PNP chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda, Jr., why he has been ensuring that the national police force is isolated from politics and instead focuses on winning the trust and confidence of the Filipino people.

“As a I read about failed states ,there is one thing in common and that is the dysfunction of institutions. When the security forces start to be politicized, that’s the time that a breakdown or failed states happens,” said Acorda in his speech during the awarding of 20 PNP personnel who went on a peacekeeping mission in South Sudan for more than a year in November 2022.

Acorda said he became aware of the danger of injecting politics to the security forces when he started reading books when he once entertained the idea of leaving the PNP and permanently joining the United Nations. 

“That’s why I urge that we be a part of the security force. Let us remain professional. Let us always uphold the rule of law and let us get the trust of the people,” said Acorda.

Acorda issued the statement amid the political clash at the national level, which earlier resulted in the proposal for the secession of Mindanao from the Philippines.

Top government officials, including from the defense and security agencies, rejected the idea and vowed to fight any attempt to have it done.

For Acorda, what the country needs now is unity in order for everyone to think of something that could contribute to the success of the goals and vision for the country. 

In his speech, Acorda also honored the PNP peacekeeping team composed of 13 female and seven male officers.

“These brave men and women have demonstrated the values that define the PNP, integrity, service and excellence. The have represented our organization with honor and also have showcased the strength and resilience of the Filipino spirit in the international stage,” said Acorda who was then deployed to Haiti for a peacekeeping mission twice. 

“The Philippines, standing as one of the foremost contributors of peacekeepers in Southeast Asia underscores our earnest commitment to the youth, gender equality and support sustainable development for people of diverse nationalities,” he added.