President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. leads the change of command ceremony and retirement honors for outgoing Philippine National Police chief, P/Gen. Rodolfo Azurin Jr., at the PNP Headquarters in Camp Crame in Quezon City on Monday, April 24, 2023. (Photo courtesy: Philippine News Agency)

MANILA, (PIA) -- President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Monday, April 24, challenged the 228,000-strong police force to serve with uncompromising commitment in providing better police service.

"Serve the people with integrity, with accountability and genuine justice," Pres. Marcos said during the change of command ceremony and retirement honors for outgoing Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Rodolfo Azurin Jr. at the PNP Headquarters in Camp Crame in Quezon City.

"Always be open to public scrutiny and practice restraint and maximum tolerance in the face of harsh criticism," he added.

This, amid the P6.7 billion drug haul in Manila last year, where cops were reportedly tagged in the confiscation of almost a ton of shabu.

Expecting accountability from all law enforcement agencies, Pres. Marcos, however, promised the government's full support in order for them to remain "strong and formidable" in fighting criminal elements.

During the event, the President also sworn-in Police Maj. Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr. as the 29th PNP chief.

He also expressed hope that Acorda will set a good example for the PNP.

Pres. Marcos, meanwhile, advised the new police leadership to work closely with other law enforcement agencies in addressing issues in peace and order and in internal security.

It can be recalled that Gen. Acorda has been regarded as a 'humble servant' in the PNP whose family has produced a long line of public officials in Ilocos Norte.

Acorda is a member of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) 'Sambisig' Class of 1991. (PIA-NCR)