Rene died of a heart attack at the young age of 40 in Jakarta, where he was an executive of a multinational corporation. A graduate of the United States Military Academy (Class 1986), Rene served the country with courage and honor as a member of the elite Scout Rangers of the Philippine Army.
A reformist at heart and in deed, Rene left military service in frustration. He wrote, “ As a young officer, I used the power of the pen to question things that were not right in the Armed Forces of the Philippines–incompetence, corruption, lack of strategic direction, and unprofessionalism. My writings were a voice in the wilderness, but the criticisms earned me a reputation as a rebel officer–too honest and too frank for my own good. I really thought reforms could be achieved through intellectual honesty and awareness. “
Rene further said, “I realized that the prevailing environment in the AFP was no longer acceptable to my sense of duty and honor, that there was more to life than being a soldier in serving the country and people. To fulfill that, I needed to live outside of the uniform.”
He is the son of Gen (ret) Raymundo Jarque, known for having joined the New People’s Army, when justice was perverted against him. The elder Jarque has long left the underground movement and is now working with a government corporation.