Early and career
Epimaco A. Velasco was born on December 12, 1935 in Tanza, Cavite. He finished his college at theCapturing Nardong Putik
As a fugitive, Putik and his men continued to instill terror in Cavite. Among the cases he was involved in were the illegal cultivation of marijuana and money extortion activities. On February 10, 1971, the National Bureau of Investigation's Narcotics division surveyed a marijuana plantation in Imus, Cavite allegedly being protected by Putik. Two NBI Agents, Rogelio Domingo and Antonio Dayao were captured, tortured, and killed by Nardong Putik and his men. The incident sealed Putik's fate: Angered by the heinous crime, NBI Director Jolly Bugarin ordered all his Agents to capture dead or alive Nardo and all responsible for the death of Agents Domingo and Dayao. NBI Agent Epimaco "Eppy" Velasco was then installed as the new Chief of the NBI Narcotics Division. In a month's time, they were able to record the movements of Nardong Putik. Later, with enough data, they were able to track his full whereabouts confidently to enable them to launch the operation to capture him on October 10, 1971. The operation which was a joint NBI-PC-Imus police force was composed of some 20 men. Troopers from the 233rd PC Company were led by Capt. Manuel Bruan. At 5:00 in the morning, the light of the house of the mistress of Nardo went out. After a few minutes, Nardo drives his Chevrolet Impala car out to the main Manila-Cavite highway. For unknown reasons, or maybe Nardong Putik senses that he is being tailed by the Philippine Constabulary, he was able to escape the PC dragnet or checkpoint at Panamitan and Talon, Kawit, Cavite. However, Nardong Putik did not notice a Volkswagen Kombi tailing him in the highway at the same time. The Kombi contained NBI Agents Velasco, Nasol, Utico, Bautista and others. They chased Nardo's car, and at Noveleta, Cavite, they were able to overtake the Impala and was at the right side of the car. Velasco shouted "NARDO!". He sensed the danger and immediately reached for his .45 pistol. At that moment, the NBI Agents opened fire with their revolvers, carbines, and submachine guns, peppering the car, and causing Nardo's instant death. The car lurched to the side of the highway and stopped. The Agents then immediately jumped out of their vehicle and took cover. Some Agents were still firing their guns to make sure that Nardo will not retaliate. The Impala was later hauled into NBI Headquarters in Manila, with the dead Putik inside, in full view of Director Bugarin. The news became a flash report on local television, and a top newspaper story the next day. That mission cemented the fame of Agent Velasco, who later became NBI Director in the nineties.Political career
In 1995, he ran for Governor. He picked Ramon "Bong" Revilla, Jr., son of SenatorGovernment service
* Secretary, Department of Interior and Local Government (Feb 4, 1998 to Jun 28, 1998) * Provincial Governor of Cavite (1995–1998) * Director, National Bureau of Investigation (1992–1995) * Assistant Director, National bureau of Investigation (1988–1992) * Acting Director, National Bureau of Investigation (1992)Personal life
Epimaco Velasco first served as a helper in the city court of Manila from 1955 to 1962 while studying. In his determination to succeed, he entered any opportunity for the betterment of his career until 1960 when he finally graduated and attained Bachelor of Laws. Two years after, he entered the NBI and became an NBI Agent I. In 1988, he became the Assistant director of the department, and in 1992, he finally became the director of the department. Inspired by his story, his life story was made into a movie in 1994, entitled "Epimaco Velasco: NBI" portrayed byDeath
On January 27, 2014, he died due to heart failure at the age of 78.Awards and recognitions received
* Presidential Commendation - In connection with the operation which resulted in the killing of Nardong Putik, Public Enemy No.1 of Cavite. * 1991 Gintong Ama Awardee for public service. * 1993 Most Outstanding Alumnus, College of Law, Lyceum of the Philippines. * September 22, 1993, 1st Place-Hall of Fame/ Hoy Gising Award given byReferences
{{DEFAULTSORT:Velasco, Epimaco 1935 births 2014 deaths Governors of Cavite People from Tanza, Cavite Filipino police officers 20th-century Filipino lawyers Secretaries of the Interior and Local Government of the Philippines Lakas–CMD (1991) politicians Ramos administration cabinet members Lyceum of the Philippines University alumni Directors of the National Bureau of Investigation of the Philippines Recipients of the Presidential Medal of Merit (Philippines)