Jesus Antonio Matamorosa Carpio (October 25, 1931 – May 26, 2010, sometimes referred to as J. Antonio Carpio) was a Filipino lawyer, journalist, educator, author, and army officer best known for his term as director of the Philippines' National Bureau of Investigation from 1986 to 1989,[1][2] and for his earlier work in resisting the authoritarian rule of Ferdinand Marcos - first as a radio commentator prior to the declaration of Martial Law,[3] and then later as the Regional Coordinator for Bicol of the Free Legal Assistance Group;[4] which provided legal support to the regime's political detainees.
His eldest daughter Dr. Maria Victoria Carpio-Bernido was honored as a 2010 Ramon Magsaysay Awardee alongside her husband Dr. Christopher C. Bernido for their work in science education.
[7] When Marcos was finally deposed by the 1986 People Power Revolution, Corazon Aquino became president, and she appointed Carpio to become Director of the National Bureau of Investigation.
The NBI handled a number of prominent cases during his term: the Garchiterona Land Scam, the attempted ambush on Polytechnic University of the Philippines President Nemesio Prudente, the ambush of Dinaluphian, Bataan Mayor Jose C. Payumo Jr.; the assassination of former Amadeo, Cavite mayor Jeremias Villanueva; and the kidnapping and murder of Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) Chairperson Rolando Olalia and his driver Leonor Alay-ay.
[3] After his stint as Director of the NBI, Carpio went back to Naga to practice law, write for local newspapers, and go on the air as a radio commentator.
He had a program on Radyo LV alongside his two close friends Luis General Jr. and Alfredo Tria, where they would regularly expose and denounce government abuses.