LRTA administrator Berroya passes away, 74

MANILA, Philippines — Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA) Administrator Reynaldo Berroya has passed away. He was 74.

Berroya’s death was announced yesterday by Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade, who described him as “one of the most courageous and dedicated public servants.”

“On behalf of the entire staff, officers and sectors of the Department of Transportation (DOTr), and of my own family, I convey my condolences to the family of General Berroya,” Tugade said in a statement.

Tugade did not provide details about Berroya’s passing.

Malacañang condoled with the family of Berroya and cited his contributions to the LRTA.

“As LRTA administrator, he played a huge role in improving the services of the railways sector,” presidential spokesman Harry Roque said.

Before he was named LRTA chief in 2017, Berroya was appointed by President Duterte as board member of the agency.

He had also served in other government agencies related to transportation: Metro Rail Transit-3 general manager, chief of the Land Transportation Office as well as DOTr assistant secretary for special concerns and undersecretary for communications.

When he was still in the uniformed service, Berroya served in the now-defunct Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission and Philippine National Police Intelligence Group.

Berroya was convicted of conspiracy in the 1993 kidnapping of Taiwanese businessman Jack Chou and sentenced to life in prison.

The Supreme Court overturned his conviction and ordered him freed from the New Bilibid Prison in 1997.