Golez, former National Security Adviser, passes away

June 11, 2018

Former National Security Adviser Roilo Golez passed away morning before he was to appear in a TV interview to speak about China's alleged creeping invasion in the contested islands in the West Philippine Sea. Golez's death at the age of 71 was announced by his son, Paranaque City Vice Mayor Rico Golez, and announced by the leaders of the House of Representatives being a former congressman. The cause of death was a heart attack. A few hours before Golez passed away, he was talking about the need to be transparent about the refueling of a Chinese military plane in Davao City at a radio station. “It is important for government to be transparent because there have been news in the last few days about bombers landing in Paracels. It is important for government to announce this so people will remain calm and speculation can be prevented," Golez told dzRH. Golez failed to make his another interview over ANC Channel on the same issue. House Majority Floor Leader and Ilocos Norte Rep. Rodolfo Fariñas said his former colleague died at the age of 71. Fariñas told House reporters that Minority Leader and Quezon Rep. Danny Suarez relayed to him the sad news about the death of Golez. “It is with sadness that I post here (viber group with House media) 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!” Fariñas said on Golez, a sixth-term Parañaque City congressman who was born in the small town of Looc in Romblon. Golez, a graduate of the US Naval Academy, was a Philippine Navy officer before he was appointed postmaster general by the late President Ferdinand Marcos. Golez later resigned his post during the anti-Marcos rallies following the assassination of former Senator Benigno Aquino Jr in 1983. Armed Forces of the Philippines spokesman Col Edgard Arevalo called Golez " a sailor, a patriot and public servant whose contributions to the Filipino nation and its people extended throughout his lifetime." "He will be remembered  for his keen insights founded on his knowledge of military history and strategy, national securityand geopolitics," said Arevalo.  DMS