Former Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Camilo Pancratius Cascolan died on Friday, Nov. 24, his family announced. He was 59.
Cascolan, also known as "Pikoy" to family and close friends, died in peace at 5:28 p.m. while being surrounded by his family, according to his son, Jiro. The cause of death is yet to be revealed.
"My dad dedicated his life to serving and protecting our country as a man of service for 42 years. We will forever remember his unwavering dedication to his duty, his selflessness, and his love for his family," Jiro said in a statement posted on his Facebook page.
Cascolan had a brief stint as the national police chief under the Duterte administration. He was appointed as the 24th PNP chief on Sept. 1, 2020 until he retired on Nov. 10, 2020.
Cascolan, who hailed from Baguio City, was the first Cordilleran to lead the national police force. He was a member of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) "Sinagtala" Class of 1986.
He joined the police force in 1992 and became a chief of police in the municipalities of Barutac, Ajuy, and Balasan in Iloilo province until 1998. He was also assigned as the city police chief in Taguig City from 2008 to 2010, and as provincial police director in Compostela Valley from 2012 to 2014.
In 2018, Cascolan was given a big break when he was chosen to be the regional director of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO).
Prior to becoming the PNP chief, Cascolan eventually took office at the PNP National Headquarters in Camp Crame, Quezon City when he became the deputy chief for operations of the police organization and later as deputy chief for administration from 2019 to 2020.
It was then that he co-authored Oplan Double Barrel with then PNP chief and now Senator Ronald dela Rosa, which became the basis for the controversial anti-illegal drug campaign of the previous administration as it was known for its "knock-and-plead" strategy where cops knock on the homes of identified drug suspects to convince them to surrender.
Following his retirement from the uniformed service in 2020, Cascolan was appointed as an undersecretary at the Department of Health (DOH) by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Oct. 23, 2022, citing his administrative capabilities.
"His loss leaves a void that can never be filled, but we find solace in knowing that his memory will live on through the countless lives he touched. He will forever remain in our hearts as a shining example of courage, dedication, and love. May his soul rest in eternal peace," Jiro said.
The Cascolan family, according to Jiro, will announce the details of their patriarch's wake in the coming days.