Former Philippine National Police (PNP) chief, retired Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr., took his oath as executive director of the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) before President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Thursday.
The ceremony was held at Malacañang Palace. Acorda was the PNP Director of Intelligence from August 2022 to April 2023, and Regional Director for the Police Regional Office X (Northern Mindanao) from November 2021 to August 2022. He is a pioneer of the PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group, who held multiple key positions, including Deputy Regional Director for the National Capital Region Police Office, Director of the Integrity Monitoring and Enforcement Group, Chief of Staff of the Civil Security Group, and Chief of the Anti-Fraud and Commercial Crimes Division.
Acorda replaced Gilbert Cruz, who took office in January 2023.
PAOCC is responsible for implementing measures to ensure an effective and efficient anti-crime drive. It is also tasked to identify and prosecute criminal groups and their protectors in government through efficient intelligence and counterintelligence efforts.