Calimlim passes away after lingering illness

Retired Gen. Jose Calimlim passed away after a lingering illness at the Cardinal Santos Medical Center in San Juan yesterday morning. He was 62.

Calimlim is survived by his wife, Cristina, and four children.

At the time of his death, Calimlim, who served as Armed Forces vice chief of staff, was the senior deputy administrator for operations of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority.

He also served as Presidential Security Group chief under the Ramos and Estrada administrations, and commander of former President Joseph Estrada’s anti-smuggling Task Force Aduana.

Calimlim’s eldest son, Mapandan, Pangasinan Mayor Jose Ferdinand Calimlim Jr., told The STAR yesterday that his father had been confined in the hospital for the past week.

“He passed away due to multiple organ failure and massive bleeding,” he said. “He had been in and out of the hospital for quite sometime.”

Mayor Calimlim said his father actually turned 62 the other day.

“We celebrated his birthday here yesterday because he was undergoing treatment,” he said. “I guess anyone who came from sickness will be like that. He was sick already... his condition always dropped. Then it came to a point that he had to be ventilated.”

Mayor Calimlim said his father was so dedicated to his work that he forgot about his health.

Despite experiencing abnormal health conditions, his enormous task occupied most of his time at the expense of his health, he added.

Calimlim’s body will be taken to Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City for necrological services before lying in state at the family residence in Poblacion, Mapandan, Pangasinan today, Mayor Calimlim said.

“He will also be brought to Subic before he will be finally buried at the Libingan ng mga Bayani,” he said.

“We have no tentative schedule yet for his burial because we still have to wait for my two brothers who are coming from the United States,” he added. – Jose Rodel Clapano, Eva Visperas