SERVING the public and protecting the people is an accomplishment no one could achieve without faith, passion and determination -- virtues that Captain Alberto Cailo Caber, chief of the Public Information Office of Eastern Mindanao Command, believes he has extended in the service for 12 years now.
Born on November 17, 1979 in Western Samar, Caber completed Bachelor of Science (BS) in Criminology from Leyte Colleges in Tacloban City in 2002. It was also in the same year he passed the licensure examinations for Criminologist.
Inspired by his father, who was also a soldier, He joined the service after graduating from college. He even called his father one of the World War II veterans in 1944.
Caber said being in the service is already a dream come true. He said he never expected that he would be able to reach this level in his life after his father died in 1988.
"Life has been hard when he (father) died. I have to quit in school and assist my mother on the farm and other stuffs. Minsan di mo maiiwasan maiyak kasi nakikita mong mga kaibigan mo pumapasok sa school. Kahit wala na ako sa school, I never stop dreaming. I believed things will get better one day," Caber said.
"I went back to school after two years. Kinuha ako nang isang distant relative namin sa mama ko't pinag-aral ako. Habang nag-aaral ako, nag-tatrabaho pa rin ako. I was tasked to do the household chores, pag-iigib ng tubig at pagpapakain ng mga baboy. Ayos kasi nakapag-aral na ako ulit until nagtapos ako," he added.
Caber entered the Philippine Army in 2002. He is proud to say that he became a member of the Officer Preparatory Course of the Officer Candidate School, Training, and Doctrine Command at Philippine Army in 2004.
He started his career as a platoon leader and executive officer for Delta and Alpha Companies of the 5th Infantry (Swift Justice) Battalion of the Philippine Army's 1st Infantry (Tabak) Division in 2004, operating in Zamboanga del Sur and Misamis Occidental.
From 2007-2008, Caber was assigned as Logistics and Personnel officer under the 5th Infantry Battalion. Then, he became the commanding officer for the Alpha and Delta Companies of the same battalion until 2011.
In 2011, Caber was appointed as chief of the 1st Infantry Division's Public Affairs Office. He was assigned to the Office of the Army Chief Public Affairs at Philippine Army's headquarters as administrative officer in 2012 for six months then chief of the Public Information Office of the Eastmincom.
Caber received various military awards and commendations, including the Gawad sa Kaunlaran; bronze cross medals; military merit medals; Civic Action medals; Other medals, ribbon and several letters and plaques of appreciation, recognition and commendations from different commanders and personalities.
"Masaya ako sa narating ko. Sabi ko nga, if you have faith in God plus ambition, hard work, humility, and the passion and courage to work things out in a better way, kahit mahirapan ka pa, you'll succeed in life. Pag may tiyaga, may nilaga--totoo yan. Now, I'm proud to heed the concerns of the public," Caber said.
Caber is happily married to his wife Ruth T. Caber. He is also proud to have two sons. Despite the hectic schedules and duties on his shoulders, Caber makes it sure that he would have time for his family at the same time kept his full expression to his work as member of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.