Today we remember the abduction of Fr. Rudy Romano,CSsR in Tisa, Labangon, Cebu City during martial rule. He is remembered as a Redemptorist confrere, a missionary, a lover of the poor and the oppressed, and a servant of God and his people. May his forced disappearance bring courage to us as a faithful of God to firmly stand to the values of the gospel in the midst of attacks and persecutions.
Apo Alex Bercasio, CSsR (Redemptorist Laoag Community)
(Cebu City, Philippines) – “Warm and caring person”, This was the description of 81-year-old Paul Rodriguez, one of the colleagues of the late Fr. Rudy Romano.
Rodriguez, together with the Redemptorist community, gathered and remembered the disappearance of the human rights advocate during the annual candle lighting at the marker in Redemptorist Church on Thursday, July 11.
Fr. Romano was abducted by unidentified armed men 34 years ago during the Marcos regime in Barangay Tisa, Cebu City.
The late Redemptorist priest has never been seen since that day.
Romano was known for his dedication to fight with the poor denouncing human rights abuses during the Marcos administration.
Rodriguez also said that he knew the late Fr. Rudy after they were together in some protest actions to fight against the Marcos administration.
Rodriguez added that he was hopeful to have another Fr. Rudy Romano who could be the voice to the poor.
Meanwhile, in a press statement released from the Redemptorists missionaries, the group kept their hope high that the ‘truth shall finally be revealed as to who victimized Fr. Romano.’
“We will always remember Fr. Romano and on this day, we shall find time to reflect on the meaning of his life and sacrifice,” the statement read.
cebudailynews.inquirer.net
