Roland Ubaldo, US Supervisory Deputy Marshal and TOFA-NY Public Service Awardee
On October 29, 2011, the first Outstanding Filipino Americans in New York Awards were given to twelve notable Pinoys. In the field of Public Service, the awardee was Supervisory Deputy United States Marshal Roland Ubaldo.
In 2009, Filipino-American US Marshal Roland Ubaldo became the official spokesman of the US Marshals Service in New York. In the same year, he was promoted from US Deputy to Supervisory Deputy.
Born in Jamaica, Queens, New York, Ubaldo was born to Filipino immigrants, Rolando Ubaldo of Singalong, Manila and Grace Mortel Ubaldo of Quezon City. Both his parents are retired New York City employees and now reside in Florida. His younger brother is connected with Sony Music Entertainment in New York, while a sister works at an insurance firm in Pennsylvania.
In an exclusive interview with the Asian Journal, Roland talked about his career.
“I guess it was a calling for me. Both of my parents worked for over two decades in public service in New York, which I think inspired me to be in public service myself,” said Roland.
Having been born and raised in New York, Roland doesn’t speak Tagalog, but understands it “very well.”
He studied criminal justice at Middlesex County College in New Jersey, while working as night manager at Embassy Suites Hotel, also in Middlesex. After graduation, he joined the US Marine Corps and served for six years before joining the US Marshals in 2001.
Asked why he switched from the Marines to the Marshals, Roland answered, “I was looking for another challenge. The Marines is a great career path; it’s an honor to have been a Marine. However, the US Marshal service is very prestigious as well and not many people know it’s the oldest law enforcement agency in the country.”
The only Filipino-American in his office at the US Marshals Service in New York, Roland revealed that, “there are only a few Fil-Am US Marshals, maybe less than 5 percent.”
Still a bachelor, Roland has led a very dangerous life. “I worked with the warrant squad of the US marshals, going after violent fugitives, sex offenders, murderers, drug dealers and all kinds of criminals. We chased them all over New York and the rest of the US,” he said.
For several months, Roland also served in Iraq under the US Marshal Special Operations. Last December 2006, he nearly got killed in Tikrit, Iraq while conducting security assessment.
Prior to his promotion as US Marshals Service spokesman in New York, Roland gained popularity when he led federal marshals in the widely-publicized seizure of the $7.8-million Manhattan penthouse of multi-billion Ponzi swindler Bernard Madoff and the eviction of his socialite wife, Ruth.
The smooth and orderly seizing of the luxurious penthouse and Roland’s TV appearance addressing members of the press on the stairs of Madoff’s Upper East apartment building after the seizure not only gained the attention of the people, but more importantly, the approval of his superiors in the US Marshals office.
“My bosses said they liked what they saw and how we handled the media,” he said.
Although he has served in the Marine Corps and the Marshal Service for many years, Roland admits to being on edge during operations. “Not really nervous, but I’d say there’s an adrenalin rush,” he said.
Ever cognizant of the dangers he faces as a law enforcement officer, Roland admits without shame, that this has brought him closer to God.
“As a Filipino and Catholic, I learned to ask for Jesus’ help every now and then. I ask for strength, knowledge and wisdom,” he said, adding, “My grandmother gave me a scapular and prayer booklets. And in my bulletproof vest, there is a rosary which I got when I went to boot camp.”
“I am grateful for the recognition in the area of Public Service,” said Roland upon receiving the award. “I’m very happy and humbled.”
Talking about his successful career, Roland said, “It’s really not about yourself. It’s helping other people, serving your community, and your country.”
Asked how he overcame challenges in his career, Roland shared, “Being Filipino, I was raised by my parents with strict values of discipline and perseverance. Never give up.”
“I have arrested the worst of the worst criminals and have taken them off of our streets and out of our communities,” he said. Roland clearly loves his job, and sees himself staying with the US Marshal service for a very long time.
“I love my country, I love my heritage, and I am a proud Filipino-American,” Roland proudly stated.
(www.asianjournal.com)
(LA Weekend Nov. 5-8, 2011 Section A, page 10)
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