Anti Sara Duterte Solon Dies

 

By Mortz C. Ortigoza

Rest in Peace General, Congressman, and Attorney.

I once interviewed Romeo Acop, a PMA 1970 grad and former Chief of the CIDG, when I bumped into him during the administration of President Noynoy Aquino. Hewas with Pangasinan Cong. Pol Bataoil ( PMA '76) and Cong. Samuel Pagdilao (PMA '84) who are retired generals.

They led the public hearing to change the system in the Philippines National Police (PNP) and emulate the defunct Philippines Constabulary (PC) where the Commanding Officer (C.O) could throw at the stockade (detention cell) a wayward member and change the rank to the military again like an SPO4 to Master Sergeant and a Chief Inspector to Major.

"We don't like the stockade thing. We are better off in the PNP because we are subject to due process," a Sergeant vehemently protested to my poser.

I asked Acop - who lead the Committee on Public Order and Safety -- about the three stages of Horizons1, 2, and 3 of the modernization of the military like buying of multiple role jets like the F16 Vipers.

 

In my November 20, 2015 political blog I wrote this excerpt:

“Sir, what class are you?” I asked Acop, a lawyer.

"1970," he retorted amiably.

“Oh, your mistah (classmate) was Julius Javier (living legend and hero of the black panther commando the Scout Ranger). He just reacted last week on my blog I posted at Facebook on my article about former U.S General Colin Powel during his stint at Fort Leavenworth in Kansas.

“I’m still seeing Julius; we played golf together with my other “mistahs”.

After I narrated to him that my family and I lived at the RFC near the statue of “young boy” General Gregorio del Pilar when they were still firstie (graduating cadets) in the 1970, I asked Acop, a member of the Oversight Committee of Revised AFP Modernization Program, why it takes several years (2018 to 2022 of Horizon 2) for the AFP to buy a squadron or two squadrons of multiple jets like the U.S made $19 million apiece F-16 bloc C/D, Sweden made U.S $ 70 million each Saab JAS 39 Gripen, or U.S$101 million apiece French made Dassault Rafale to buttress the Philippines’ defense of her islands, and reefs at the West Philippines Sea (WPS).

“In case Congress deliberate and fund in 2017 the multi-role jets, funds will be available in 2018, order and delivery of the brand new jets will be on 2019 or 2020, baka ubos na ang isla natin sa WPS in case we keep procrastinating on buying them?"

He told me that the Revised AFP Modernization Act (RAFPMA) or Republic Act 10349 already funded all the items needed by the AFP up to the end year 2028 of the Horrizon-3.

“The ball now lays on the executive department especially the new president whether he/she supports it," he told me".

 

Inquirer reported today that Antipolo City 2nd District Rep. Romeo Acop has passed away, according to longtime friend, National Unity Party (NUP) president and Deputy Speaker Ronaldo Puno.

Puno in a message to INQUIRER said their hearts are broken with the passing of Acop, a long-time NUP member whom he considers a friend “for more than 25 years.”

“Sadly, he has really passed on. Our hearts are broken. He was a friend for more than 25 years and a devoted, courageous, HONEST public servant,” Puno, also an Antipolo City representative, said.

“The Congress and our Country are the lesser for his loss,” he added.