Early years Originally from
Bulacan, Berroya was a cadet member of
Philippine Military Academy Class of 1969 and subsequently served as Colonel
Rolando Abadilla's deputy in the
Metrocom Intelligence and Security Group of the
Philippine Constabulary during the
Martial Law era. He joined the
August 1987 coup attempt led by Colonel
Gringo Honasan against President
Corazon Aquino. Together with Major Manuel Divina, he led rebelling Philippine Constabulary officers in seizing
Camp Olivas in
San Fernando, Pampanga. Following the coup's failure, Berroya surrendered to authorities on November 27, 1987 and was sentenced in 1989 by a court martial to eight years imprisonment for his participation in the coup.
Task Force Lawin After the administration of President
Fidel V. Ramos created the
Presidential Anti-Crime Commission (PACC) in 1993 and appointed then-Vice President
Joseph Estrada as its chairman, Berroya was assigned to lead
Task Force Lawin, while
Philippine National Police (PNP) colonel
Panfilo Lacson was the leader of
Task Force Habagat. They led operations against kidnapping syndicates targeting
Filipino Chinese people.
Aftermath While stationed in the PNP
Caraga Regional Office, Berroya was fired by Lacson, by then the
Chief of the Philippine National Police, for being
absent without official leave (AWOL). On April 18, 2001, Berroya was appointed as regional director of the
Central Luzon Regional Police Office and received his first star rank as Police Chief Superintendent. == Civilian career ==