‘While political names easily divide us into camps, in my book, the story of Col. Pete’s dedication and service is laudable beyond partisanship.’
I WAS on my way to the airport last Friday when I received a call from my friend Jon. It wasn’t unnatural for him to call in the evening, but lately, I’ve been preparing for one I wouldn’t be too happy to receive
“Wala na ang dad ko,” he told me as he tried to suppress sobs. That’s what I thought I heard but because he wasn’t speaking clearly, I wasn’t too sure. “Ano? Ano sabi mo?” I asked. “Namatay na ang daddy ko,” he repeated.
This was the call I was, for some time now, half expecting to receive from him.
His father was Pedro Miguel Sacro, a son of Ilocos Norte (San Nicolas), a “genuine Ilocano” (GI) whose life was relevant to almost all of us, without almost all of us knowing.
In his professional life, Pedro M. Sacro was a military man who served President Ferdinand E. Marcos in a unique way: FM had chosen “Pete” to be an intelligence officer and aide to his young son, Ferdinand Jr. when the latter was studying in London during the 1970s.
As a GI, “Col. Pete” (as he came to be known) dutifully accepted the assignment. His young family (wife Nancy Valdez, also a GI, and at first five then six kids) stayed home in Fort Bonifacio.
I found out about his story in bits and pieces after I met Pedro Jr. (who is called Jon) in 1998 when he and his close friend Roger Arazas became my gym mates at the old Slimmers World on Pasay Road. Col. Pete was a generally gentle man, deeply respected by his children and adored by his grandkids, living with his beloved Nancy in a modest home in Barangay South Cembo, Makati (now Taguig).
I also found out that during the lead-up to the 1986 presidential campaign, Col. Pete was assigned to dole out titles to the lots in what was once an army reservation. It is a hallmark of his integrity that Col. Pete refused all temptations to award his family more lots than they were entitled to when he could easily have.
He wanted to proudly and honorably serve his President.
Then EDSA happened. FM went into exile. The Philippines entered a phase where a serious effort was exerted to undo everything Marcos did. At this time, Col. Pete faded into retirement, living off his pension. Only when the body of his president was brought home to Laoag did he reemerge from the cocoon, bringing his entire family to Ilocos Norte’s capital to be there when it all happened.
He turned 90 in 2018. That July, Jon handed me a letter, explaining that it was from his dad who wanted to see former Sen. Ferdinand Marcos Jr. as his birthday wish. Could I find a way to get the letter to the addressee? Not knowing what to do, I wrote a column about the wish in this same space and sent a copy to Ilocos Norte Gov. Mat Manotoc, a good friend. Apparently, the Governor alerted his mother, and so on the occasion of the birthday celebration at Ascott BGC, Sen. Imee Marcos arrived, ahead of all the other guests so as not to disrupt the event.
During their chat, Col. Pete admitted that one of his other assignments from FM was to deflate the tires of the cars of Imee’s suitors when they came a-calling at Malacañang Palace!
Two days after the big celebration, Col. Pete got the surprise of his life when Bongbong Marcos walked into the modest Sacro home in South Cembo, bringing a cake and many stories of his youthful days in London.
As BBM was leaving that July afternoon, his former “bodyguard” expressed two wishes: I want to see you become President, said Col. Pete. The widower then added: when I turn 100, I want to get married again and will you please be my godfather? They hugged.
In May of 2022, Col. Pete of South Cembo trooped to the polling place in a wheelchair, proudly casting his ballot for BBM. When BBM won, he shocked and amused his children when he asked that his uniform be prepared – he wanted to be recalled into service because there was another President Marcos to serve.
Last Friday, Col Pete died quietly, having seen one of his two wishes come through. The family tells me that throughout their ordeal, the President was with them.
While political names easily divide us into camps, in my book, the story of Col. Pete’s dedication and service is laudable beyond partisanship.
He was proud to have served his President and he served with integrity.
Rest in peace, Sir.
