STATEMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS SECRETARY ALAN PETER S. CAYETANO ON THE PASSING OF FORMER NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISER ROILO GOLEZ

 

11 June 2018 - I join the women and men of the Department of Foreign Affairs in mourning the passing of former National Security Adviser and Congressman Roilo Golez, a patriot and a true son of the Motherland. 

 

We remember Secretary Golez for his tireless dedication to flag and country. He made a name for himself as a cadet and brigade boxing champion at the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis where he earned his Mathematics and Operations Analysis degree and later as an officer in the Philippine Navy. He was also valedictorian of his postgraduate business administration class at the University of the Philippines.

 

We remember how way before the information communication revolution, Secretary Golez revolutionized the postal service when, as one of the youngest Postmasters General in history, he connected more Filipinos together by spearheading “Project Mercury,” that made sure letters are delivered in Metro Manila and key cities within 24 hours.

 

We thank Secretary Golez for his efforts in keeping our country and our people safe when, as National Security Adviser of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, he oversaw the counterterrorism and national security program in the aftermath of the September 11 attacks in the United States and in response to our internal security threats. 

 

We remember Secretary Golez for the game-changing legislator that he was when as the elected Representative of Parañaque for 18 years, he authored such laws as the Climate Change Act (Republic Act No. 9729), the Philippine Act on Crimes Against International Humanitarian Law, Genocide, and Other Crimes Against Humanity (Republic Act No. 9851), and the Philippine Coast Guard Law (Republic Act No. 9993).

 

Roilo Golez will be missed but he will never be forgotten. END