Anti-private army panel member dies of heart attack

MANILA, Philippines – Retired General Jaime Echeverria, president of the Association of Generals and Flag Officers (AGFO), died of a heart attack yesterday. He was 76.

His son Teofilo Cesar Echeverria III said the general’s body lies at the Heritage Park in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig. He will be buried on Feb. 24.

Echeverria, a member of Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Class of 1957, was among members of the Independent Commission Against Private Armies (ICAPA) or the Zenarosa Commission formed by President Arroyo to dismantle private armed groups after the Maguindano massacre.

“I never told him that he’s my hero,” Teofilo, the third of four siblings, said in a phone interview just hours after his father died.

He said the retired Army general was a patriotic man who woke up at 5 a.m. and worked until 11 p.m. and rarely got sick.

 “I’m sure everybody would want to pay their last respects and say thank you. It’s also our little way to say thank you to those who supported my dad over the years. He served his country very well,” he said.

Echevarria was a recipient of the Distinguished Conduct Star, the second highest medal in the military.

A Vietnam War veteran, he was also given a Distinguished Service Star, a gold, silver, and bronze cross medals. He retired in 1987 with a clean record. – Michael Punongbayan