Fil-Am cop rubs elbows with Bush

The call from Senior Executive Director Stephen Gaffigan came in as I was on my way home from a hectic day at work. It was 6 p.m. "Jebo, I need you back at HQ pronto!" This emergency call was part of my job as Chief of Staff (IT/Intel Liaison) of the Metropolitan Police Department, Washington, DC. Public safety was and is always Priority I.

"What’s the problem?" I asked. "I need the JOCC up quick!" Steve uttered in haste. More than four decades of law enforcement experience and the highest-ranking civilian employee, Gaffigan is equivalent to a two-star general. "I’ll explain when you get back. Hurry, please."

At about the same time, my Blackberry pager, my government-issued mobile phone and my personal phone began to ring and receive messages: "Report to HQ immediately" I uttered "S<%S@! What is it now?"

Passing the Pentagon on 395 S, I quickly exited and floored my turbo back towards Washington, DC.

Sometimes, I tend to forget and take for granted the marvel and splendor of this wonderful city. Every day, for the last year and a half, post 9/11, I drove past word famous landmarks on my way to and from work: the Washington Monument, the Jefferson Memorial, the Pentagon, the White House, you name it, I saw it everyday.

I think I’ve found my other home besides Manila. The "Oomph" factor, I call it. No matter how monotonous some days can get, I don’t think I would ever grew tired of DC. Like my other favorite cities, it’s got that indescribable "Oomph"!

In minutes, I was back at DC police HQ. Outside, I saw four black government vehicles conspicuously parked. "Hmmm, looks like the Secret Service is here. I wonder why", I thought. As I entered the revolving doors, I made a quick glance at the vehicles. There were small decals on the doors that read, "The White House". For a moment, I thought, "Nah, it can’t be. Dubya’s too busy to be here, now?"

I passed through several security clearance areas. I saw Steve anxiously waiting outside the Joint Operations Command Center – The "JOCC" as we called it. "Finally", Steve muttered. With irony, I replied, "That was only 5 minutes ago, Steve." "Never mind, just bring her up," Steve anxiously said.

The "JOCC" is a multimillion-dollar state-of-the-art high tech law enforcement center. Only one year old, the JOCC has already received numerous accolades and is said to be America’s leading and foremost law enforcement command center.

The JOCC is a subsidiary of the Synchronized Operations Command Complex (SOCC) - a multifaceted, highly technical amalgam capable of intelligence gathering, coordinating activities of field units and managing multi-jurisdictional emergency events. The center utilizes a series of highly technical systems brought together in one room to capture information and intelligence. The information can be rapidly disseminated to field units to assist in officer safety, criminal investigations, deployment of resources consistent with evolving crime trends, special events and counter civil disorder or terrorist attacks.

Since its beginning on Sept. 11, 2001, I was appointed as one of the few key players to work at JOCC and focus on a single objective: fight everyday crime.

A most recent case was the JOCC’s involvement in the September 2002 sniper investigation when all of the US and local agencies came together, 24 hours a day, to monitor and/or disseminate information and create crime scenarious. This joint effort culminated in the arrest of the now highly publicized sniper suspects, John Allan Mohammad and John Lee Malvo.

The JOCC has been prepped in line with The President’s Homeland Security Agency.

Chief Information Officer and Director of IT, Walter Collier III introduced me to three gentlemen. They almost looked identical in height (over 6 foot tall), apparel (tailor made 3-piece suits) and demeanor (that "total command" presence) "Mr. Lopez, (the lead agent presented himself), ‘POTUS’ will be visiting with three other VIPs to kick off Homeland Security next week."

"Ebi-de-di-beeb-bab-dee." (Words uttered excitedly just like Disney’s Porky Pig), "POTUS?. . . The POTUS? Ah, Homeland Security?" I asked. "Yes, the President will be here to visit your command center in 4 days – to be exact," the special agent replied.

Thud! My jaw dropped. I thought to myself, after religiously watching every episode of "The West Wing," I knew what that acronym POTUS stood for — The President of The United States (of America)!

"We’d like you to help us set and demo the JOCC," the US SS agent continued.

Thud! Thud! Nah. Don’t pinch me. Hit me! Was I dreaming? "Four days." Great! There goes my weekend!"

"Homeland Security" — the latest buzzword yet to be accepted at Webster’s – is the gravitas that propelled the post "9/11" world to combat terrorism and everything related to it.

The establishment of Homeland Security is possibly the most significant task the US government has undertaken in over half a century to largely transform and realign the current confounding patchwork of government activities into a single department. It’s primary mission: to protect the ‘homeland’ – United States of America.

Immediately after the 9/11 World Trade Center and Pentagon attacks, the President took decisive steps to protect America, from hardening cockpits and stockpiling vaccines to dismantling terrorist cells. The President used his maximum legal authority to establish the White House Office of Homeland Security and the Homeland Security Council led by Pennsylvania’s Governor and Homeland Security Director, Tom Ridge. Every thing to ensure that America’s federal response and protection efforts were coordinated and effective.

In recent months, thousands of FBI and Intelligence personnel have been re-assigned to tackle new roles within the Department of Homeland Security. Local, State and Federal agencies are now part of an inter-operable network of sharing information and communications.

I work tirelessly with the US Secret Service, Department of Justice, FBI and other government intra-agencies on a daily basis for Law Enforcement IT issues and miscellaneous projects so it comes as no surprise to me to receive last minute requests. But meeting the President? This definitely a once-in-a-lifetime experience that I cannot miss.

For the next four days, the White House advance team – from the top brass to the press junket – reviewed, surveyed and literally conducted a clean sweep of DC police headquarters. I was involved in the preparation in every aspect-when and where the President was going to enter, sit, speak, et al. Imagine, a 24-minute visit and every second counted? Timing was key!

The day before the President was to appear, Heather Florance, White House press liaison officer, laid out a proposal: "Jebo, The White House would like you to be the one sitting next to the President and control the command center while Chief Ramsey speaks on the JOCC’s capabilities. Governor Tom Ridge, Director of Homeland Security and Mayor Anthony Williams will be sitting to your left. Is this all right with you?"

Thud! Thud! Thud! ‘Is this all right with ME’ – Wow! You betcha!

Whew! Just imagine. The one Filipino, a District contractor being chosen by his peers, by his Directors and now, White House representatives for a 24-minute show-and-tell presentation to President George Herbert Walker Bush himself? Furthermore, to sit with three of the most powerful men in the capital of The United States of America with the Chief of Police counting on you to make sure everything goes like clockwork?

Whoa! God does work in mysterious ways.

On D-day, 12 November 2002 – I hardly slept the night before. Yet, there I was at 5 a.m. up to catch the break of a new dawn. I put on my best Hugo Boss midnight blue suit, a plain white Brioni shirt and my favorite Ferragamo orange tie.

My phone rang – it was Steve. "Where the heck are you? They’ll be here in 4 hours!" Talk about anxiety. It was ME, after all, who was going to be sitting next to the President!

Check last minute details. The JOCC looked immaculate. DC police officials were dressed in their finest. It was somewhat surreal. Here I was again, reflecting. . .just your average Makati boy who loves durian, laing and bagoong, ready to meet a barrage of press reporters, and POTUS!

Count down: 15 minutes. Is my hair even? No write fluff on my sleeves? Ah! Breath mints! Sweaty palms. Last minutes words from the White House Rep, "Don’t talk to the President unless he talks to you first."

Secret Service agents were in their strategic positions – alert and keeping a watchful eye. The agent behind me raised his right arm: "10 - 4. PUTOS en route. 5 minutes."

"Five Minutes! Here we go. . ."

Suddenly, the JOCC was a buzz. A sea of press reporters from every major news station crammed my front view. "What’s your name, what’s your name?" they all asked. I heard Heather Florance, White House Press Liaison Officer reply, "That’s Jebo Lopez, IT Chief of Staff." Man! I felt like a movie star! ("Hollywood, here I come"!)

Finally, with precise timing, the President and his entourage entered the room. Flashbulbs blinded my vision momentarily.

The rest is history.

Perhaps my most memorable moment was when the President and I were exchanging greetings, "Mr. President, my name is Jebo Lopez, from I. T. Intel."

"That’s a nice name – Jeb," the President replied. "You should meet my brother."

Hours later, when things settled down at HQ, I finally understood what the President meant. He was referring of course to his brother, Florida Gov. Jeb Bush.

Nothing seemed to matter at that instance. I was having the time of my life! Gees! An all time high in my Public Safety career.

As the maxim goes – a picture says a thousand words. This was my "24 minutes" of fame.