Antipolo Rep. Romeo Acop passes away after fatal heart attack
- Antipolo Rep. Romeo Acop died of a heart attack at age 78, shocking colleagues who were expecting his return after a successful kidney transplant in November
- Acop is remembered both as a disciplined former police general/CIDG chief and as a brilliant legislator who brought legal precision to congressional hearings
- As vice-chair of the House Quad Committee, Acop played a pivotal role in investigating POGOs and extrajudicial killings, known for being "firm but fair" in his search for truth
- Younger lawmakers hailed Acop as a mentor, describing his interrogation style during hearings as a "master class" in criminal justice and accountability
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The Philippine House of Representatives has been plunged into mourning following the sudden death of Antipolo City 2nd District Representative Romeo Acop.
Source: Facebook
The veteran lawmaker and former police general passed away on Saturday night following a heart attack. He was 78 years old.
The news was confirmed on Sunday by his longtime friend and party mate, Antipolo 1st District Representative Ronaldo Puno.
The announcement came as a shock to colleagues and constituents alike, particularly because Acop appeared to be on the mend.
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According to Puno, the chairman of the National Unity Party, Acop had recently undergone a successful kidney transplant in late November.
"Our hearts are broken," Puno stated, sharing the grief of a friendship that spanned over 25 years. He described Acop as a "devoted, courageous, and honest public servant."
The tragedy is compounded by the fact that Acop was reportedly recovering well from his surgery. He was described as being "up and about," with his peers eagerly awaiting his imminent return to the session hall.
However, a medical emergency at his home on Saturday evening led to a rush to the hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.
Acop’s passing marks the end of a storied career that bridged the gap between law enforcement and legislation.
Before walking the halls of Congress, he was a decorated police official who once headed the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG). This background gave him a unique aura of authority and discipline that he carried into his legislative work.
House Speaker Faustino “Bojie” Dy III lamented the loss, calling Acop a "model public servant" who strictly adhered to the rule of law. "His death is a huge loss to the House, Antipolo, and the Filipino people," Dy said, emphasizing the vacuum left by Acop’s departure.
In recent months, Acop had solidified his legacy as the senior vice chairperson of the House Quad Committee.
He was instrumental in the high-profile investigations into illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs), illegal drug$, and extrajudicial killings.
Former Speaker and Leyte 1st District Rep. Martin Romualdez praised Acop’s handling of these volatile hearings.
"He was firm but fair," Romualdez recalled. "He asked the hard questions, but always within the bounds of decency and institutional respect."
For the younger generation of lawmakers, Acop was more than a colleague; he was a mentor. House Assistant Majority Leader Zia Alonto Adiong and Manila Rep. Joel Chua described watching Acop work as a "master class" in criminal justice.
They noted that when the former General began his line of questioning, those testifying had "no place to hide."
As the flag at the Batasang Pambansa flies at half-mast, the promise from his colleagues, including Public Accounts Chair Terry Ridon, is clear: the work Acop started—specifically the pursuit of truth and accountability—will continue in his honor.
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In other news, Mark Arjay Reyes, the fiancé of a missing bride, has firmly denied law enforcement's speculation that his fiancée, Sherra De Juan, was struggling with severe emotional or financial burdens prior to the incident. Clarifying the family's financial situation, Reyes asserted that the hospital bills for Sherra's father did not cause strain as they were fully paid for by insurance. He dispelled rumors regarding their nuptials, emphasizing that the planning for their upcoming marriage was financially sound and strictly within their set budget. These statements from the fiancé come as investigators continue to piece together the events and evidence surrounding De Juan's case.
Still in other news, authorities are investigating the death of a 22-year-old male found lifeless in a grassy section of Barangay Lawaan III, Talisay City. The victim was discovered with a single, fatal gunshot wound to the neck, prompting an immediate hom1cide investigation. Police have identified a former jail mate of the victim as the primary person of interest, with initial theories pointing to a conflict over illegal drug$. Law enforcement has officially filed a murder complaint and is currently conducting a pursuit operation to apprehend the at-large suspect.
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