A tough-talking Maj. Gen. Romeo Magpili Caramat Jr. has emerged as one of the major contenders to replace Philippine National Police (PNP) chief General Benjamin C. Acorda Jr. next month.

But apart from his anti-criminality and anti-terror exploits, this ‘Probinsiyano’ official immediately turns emotional upon mere mention of the two greatest women in his life: his late wife Mamyln and mother Maxima.

Caramat is a member of Philippine Military Academy (PMA) ‘Tanglaw-Diwa’ Class of 1992.

He is described by his classmates, peers and colleagues as one who ‘embodies the totality of a servant leader whose charm inspires others to move forward and be the best version of themselves.’

He is presently the director of the PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG). Prior to that, he was once a Police Regional Office (PRO)-13 director in Caraga region, a PNP Integrity Monitoring and Enforcement Group director and a director of the PNP Drug Enforcement Group which made history for confiscating an estimated P12.1 billion worth of shabu during the time of former PNP chief General Archie Francisco F. Gamboa in 2019.

Caramat’s wife, Mamylyn also known as (aka) ‘Maya Caramat,’ at 52 died last January 8, 2023.

That made the 2-star general a widower at 54, and now a highly-devoted father to his children Kimberly Anne and Patrick.

His wife’s death came just hours after Caramat was named as PNP-CIDG director.

Eagle-eyed people who had visited his former offices and now, his CIDG office will also spot a framed handwritten letter to Caramat by his mother Maxima.

“Tying little shoe laces, Wiping off dirty faces, Are just a couple of things That a mother will do… Mending a broken heart, Is only just a part, Of the care and the love, That I’ve given you…

With a Kool-aid smile, And a sparkle in your eyes, I wrap you in my arms, And whisper this advice… Be strong, be kind, Be patient and in time, You’ll find out, my son, What true love is all about.

Be faithful and be true, Show love in all you do, Then you’ll know, just how, You make your mother proud. Now, little boy days have passed, And you’ve grown up so fast, But in my heart That little boy will never be far… So on this blessed day, There’s so much I want to say, But above all, I thank God For the man that you are…

With a tender smile, And a twinkle in your eyes, I wrap you in my arms, And whisper this advice… Be strong, be kind, Be patient and in time, You’ll find out, my son, What true love is all about. Be faithful and be true, Show love in all you do, Then you’ll know, just how You make your mother proud. You’ve made your mother so proud…”

Those are actually the lyrics of a mother-to-son song made by an American composer which adorns the wall of Maj. Gen. Caramat.

The official, who is already a recipient of the PMA Cavalier Award for Outstanding Performance in Police Operations, became the 4th member of PMA Class 1992 to become a 1-star police general.

He also became the 1st director of the PNP-IMEG before being designated by Gamboa to head the PNP-DEG in launching a more aggressive crackdown against ‘high-value targets’ in the country.

As PNP-IMEG director, and before it, as head of the PNP Counter-Intelligence Task Force, Caramat led operations which resulted in the arrest of nearly 100 active policemen found to be involved in different criminal activities.

PNP-CITF agents also shot dead at least nine rogue policemen in gun battles when he was still the commander of the group.

From 2002 to 2004, then Major Caramat also became part of the United Nations Peacekeeping Force from the PNP in Timor-Leste and Kosovo.

From 2010 to 2013, he became known as an ‘exceptional leader’ who set an outstanding achievement as chief of police of Dagupan City.

Caramat also became known as a tough Bulacan Police Provincial Office director from 2017 to 2017.

Former PNP chief-turned Senator Ronald ‘Bato’ M. Dela Rosa said Caramat was the top performing provincial director in their war on drugs during his time.

“He delivered the maximum impact in the hearts and minds of both the drug syndicates and the community then,” the former PNP chief said.

As a result, the Bulacan PPO under Caramat was adjudged as the Best Police Provincial Office nationwide during the 115th and 116th Police Service Anniversary celebrations in 2016 and 2017.

As the 1st director of the PNP Counter-Intelligence Task Force, now known as the PNP-IMEG, Caramat was described by another former PNP chief, Gen. Oscar D. Albayalde, as the ‘most qualified candidate for the position.’

In 2019, he was the PNP-DEG director who became known as the ‘Ironman’ for his iron-fist policy to fight illicit drug trafficking in the country regardless of whoever is involved in it.

Now retired Gen. Gamboa said that under Caramat, PDEG made ‘milestone accomplishments and really did not fail the Filipino people.

Under Caramat, PDEG launched 50 ‘intelligence-driven’ operations which led to the arrest of 85 targets and the seizure of nearly 1.782 kilograms of high-grade shabu and over 467 kilos of Ephedrine, a main shabu precursor.

The recovered huge pieces of drug evidence were worth at least P12.1 billion.

From 2020 to 2022, Caramat was the PRO 13 director where he became the architect of intensified simultaneous anti-criminality law enforcement operations in Caraga region.

As PRO-13 director, he supervised the conduct of 5,982 anti-crime raids and other operations which netted 6,858 lawbreakers as well as 328 New People’s Army leaders and other members.

Another 1,520 rebels in the region yielded to the government during his stint in Caraga.

In January this year, Caramat was designated as the PNP-CIDG director where he became known for his ‘heart for the victims and an iron-fist stance on criminals.’

(next: The race for the next PNP Chief: Who is Brigadier General Ronald O. Lee?)