19/10/2023
Getting to know the Barangay Tabalong Aspirant Captain
P/COL. MARCELO OPADA PINTAC
“A Tough Cop Who Fears No One in War-torn Mindanao”
Who would have thought that a simple barrio boy from Tabalong, who used to peddle charcoal for a living, would someday become one of the country’s most decorated police officers?
P/Col. Marcelo Opada Pintac spent 32 years and 6 months in the police force with unblemished record. His remarkable feats and countless exploits in pursuit of peace and harmony in the region once marred by lawlessness and violence is something worthy of emulation. Remember, he is assigned in the most critical areas dubbed before as killing fields of Mindanao.
FAMILY:
Fondly called “Eloy” by his peers and acquaintances, Col. Pintac was born in September 29, 1959, to native Dauisanon couple, housekeeper Herminilda Loquinte Opada and farmer Hilario SUMAYLO Pintac. Eloy is not a stranger to public service as he is the son of a former teniente del barrio of Tabalong, Dauis for 15 years. He indeed inherited politics from his father, so to speak.
Eloy is married to Sarah Abug Pintac of Claveria, Misamis Oriental, and they are blessed with 4 children: Philip Marcelo, 26, presently connected with the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) Region 12; Jhon Louie, 33, also with BFP-Davao; and the eldest Kristel Diane, 34, now residing in Laguna.
EDUCATION:
Studying diligently with sheer determination to succeed, Col. Pintac graduated two baccalaureate degrees: Bachelor of Science in Commerce, Major in Accounting, which he finished in 1980 as a working student and Corps Commandeer of Andres Soriano College in Bislig, Surigao del Sur; and Bachelor of Science in Public Safety at the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA) in Cavite, where he was bestowed with the rank of Police Lieutenant. Furthermore, he completed his graduate studies with Masters of Arts in Public Administration.
For his primary and secondary education, Col. Pintac graduated with honors from Tabalong Elementary School in 1972, and Bohol School of Arts & Trade (BSAT) now BISU, in 1976.
CAREER:
After graduating PNPA, Col. Pintac was first assigned at the PC-INP Regional Command in 1986, and immediately joined the police and military in waging war against the Moro insurgents, especially the Nur Misuari-led MNLF, NPA rebels, communists, notorious drug lords, kidnappers, and other most wanted criminals. Throughout his career, he can count as many as five ambush encounters, three su***de bombings, seven hostage situations, and a lot of risky police operations and rescue missions of their comrades trapped in the battlefields.
Col. Pintac can still recall some of his accomplishments like the rescue of two Chinese kidnap victims and the capture of a rogue M**F soldier with a P5 million bounty on his head.
Though armed with an iron fist and always in full battle gear, Col. Pintac deep in his heart is more of a peacemaker than a fighter. He always value life first and do whatever he can to save it. When not in action, he is always in the forefront of reaching out to the community and involved in civic actions. In Sulu, he pushed for the construction of at least 10 police stations as part of visibility that will help deter crimes.
For the records, Col. Pintac was holding top positions in the police force during those turbulent years in Mindanao in the 80s. In various parts of Davao, he was the Chief of Police for 10 years of Tagum City, Davao del Norte; Digos City, Davao del Sur; and Bislig, Surigao del Sur. He also served as the Provincial Director of Maguindanao and Lanao del Sur, Provincial CIDG Officer of South Cotabato and North Cotabato; Intelligence Officer and Commanding Officer of City Mobile Group of Davao City; City Director of Gen. Santos City; and as Regional Logistics Officer, Director of Intelligence and Security Services, and eventually as Chief of Staff of Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).
PLANS:
Now, Eloy is back to his roots and home in Tabalong, and wants to serve his fellow Tabalongnians with pure intention and utmost dedication. He is vying for Captain position of the Barangay in the 2023 elections against a very formidable foe who is the incumbent Captain and ABC President. It will be an uphill battle for the retired police officer, but his vast experience as a top police official, outstanding educational attainment, and the thrust of the people who clamor for a change will be his ultimate weapons against an opponent with well-oiled machinery, not to mention the immense resources he can easily dispatch from his arsenal.
For Eloy, this is a different battle that he is not familiar with, but he is determined to conquer it. As Alexander the Great once said, “I am not afraid of an army of lions led by a sheep; I am afraid of an army of sheep led by a lion”
Asked what will be his priorities if given the chance to serve? Col. Pintac listed out peace and order and mapping out of livelihood as his top two agenda; and his first order of the day in the Barangay Council would be the review of all stagnant or inactive ordinances.
Peace maker
