Photo Courtesy || Dr. Dennis Acop |
Col. Acop graduated in West Point in 1983 and served the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) where he was awarded the Distinguished Service Star, one of the AFP's third-highest decoration ever given to a soldier.
He also served former President Fidel V. Ramos as member of the Presidential Security Group where he was awarded the Presidential Medal of Merit for his "integrity, devotion of duty and commitment to professional competence and moral excellence".
One of the notable achievement of Col. Acop during his military service was the successful leading of government troops against coup attempt in 1989. He was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Star, which is the AFP's second highest decoration for gallantry in action by the late President Corazon Aquino.
Col. Acop is also a graduate of various career and special military courses in Infantry, Intel, and Command areas and took Disaster Mgt. Course from Cranfield University.He also holds Ph.D. (BU) and three master's degrees from the University of the Philippines, UNSW, and PCU.
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After his retirement from the service, Col. Acop served for Wyeth Nutrition Philippines as the company's Country Manager for Security in 2007-2009 then as Director for Security and Business Continuity in 2013-2018.
The multi-awarded Ibaloi soldier is also an author and a columnist. He was one of the writer of the book "Sentinels of Freedom: 100 Years of Presidential Security". He also wrote articles published by De La Salle University’s Asia-Pacific Social Science Review, Ateneo de Davao’s Tambara Journal, US National Defense University, US Army War College, Security Matters Magazine, La Guardia Bulletin, and Rappler.
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You can follow Dr. Dencio Acop and read his column LIFE MATTERS every Sunday at Philbiznew.com as he shares in-depth articles about the West Philippine Sea issue.