Security adviser, congressman Roilo Golez, 71

By Charmaine A. Tadalan
FORMER National Security Adviser Jose Roilo S. Golez passed away on Monday morning. He was 71.
Mr. Golez, a former congressman, died of a heart attack, according to House Majority Leader Rodolfo C. Fariñas.
“It is with sadness that I post here that Danny Suarez just called me with the information that our former colleague, Roilo ‘Roy’ Golez, passed away due to heart attack. May his soul Rest In Peace!” Mr. Fariñas shared with reporters in a phone message.
As representative of Parañaque City, Mr. Golez served six terms from 1992 to 2001 and 2004 to 2007.
In 2001, he was tapped by then president Gloria M. Arroyo to be her National Security Adviser.
His service continued up to his last breath as he added his voice to calls for the assertion of Philippine sovereignty over the West Philippine Sea. He was last heard in an interview with DzRH on the subject.
“He was a sailor, a patriot, and a public servant whose contributions to the Filipino nation and its people extended throughout his lifetime,” Armed Forces of the Philippines spokesman Colonel Edgard Arevalo said in a statement.
Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel F. Zubiri, for his part, said, “We will miss him. Although he towered in the security and diplomatic circles, he was a lover of the common tao (people). His day was not complete without walking among the masa (masses) in Parañaque and praying in Baclaran Church.”
Acting Chief Justice Antonio T. Carpio described Mr. Golez as a “patriot” and an “indefatigable defender of the WPS.”
He added: “He embraced lawfare as a peaceful means of asserting our sovereign rights in the WPS. His death strengthens our resolve to carry on.”
Mr. Golez’s wake is at the Heritage Park and his interment will be on June 15, according to the House of Representatives Protocol Office.