The Philippine Business and News (THEPHILBIZNEWS) welcomes the decorated retired army colonel and now, Dennis “DENCIO” Acop as its new columnist. Dr. Acop worked for Wyeth Nutrition Philippines, now a subsidiary of Nestle (2013-2018), as Director for Security and Business Continuity. Prior to this, he had worked with Pfizer’s Global Security as Associate Director with its Asia-Pacific Regional Team (2010-2012). Formerly, he was Wyeth’s Country Manager for Security (2007-2009) and had been Director for Security Services with Pacific Strategies and Assessments (PSA) from August 2006 to December 2007. A 1983 West Point graduate, he brought to his corporate work his expertise in security, intelligence, and the academe honed over 30 years of a long and distinguished career with the Armed Forces of the Philippines. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Star, the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ third-highest decoration.
He also served for six years with the Presidential Security Group whereafter he was awarded by President Fidel V. Ramos the Presidential Medal of Merit for “his integrity, devotion to duty and commitment to professional competence and moral excellence”. Successfully leading government troops against coup elements in December 1989, he was awarded by President Corazon Aquino the Distinguished Conduct Star, the AFP’s second-highest decoration for gallantry in action.
He is airborne, ranger, special forces, intel, and counter-terrorist qualified. He has co-written a book entitled “Sentinels of Freedom: 100 Years of Presidential Security” (1998) and 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.
Besides his West Point – The U.S. Military Academy education, Dr. Acop has a Ph.D. (BU) and three master’s degrees (UP, UNSW, PCU). He is also a graduate of various career and special military courses in Infantry, Intel, and Command areas; as well as a Disaster Mgt Course from Cranfield University.
Lastly, Dr. Acop is a Certified Protection Professional (CPP) by ASIS – International and CBCI-certified by Business Continuity Institute (UK). He is a family man having been married to the late Jocelyn Roxas Guerrero for 33 years with whom he has three grown-up children. He voluntarily serves as a Lay Liturgical Minister. Acop is now a freelance Security and Business Continuity Consultant and Writer. his column, LIFE MATTERS will be published every Sunday at https://thephilbiznews.com