15 years later, priest’s martyrdom by Abu Sayyaf in Basilan remembered

Some 15 years after his gruesome death in the hands of the Abu Sayyaf, Fr. Rhoel Gallardo was remembered as a martyr in Basilan.

Religous leaders in Basilan took part in commemorating Gallardo's martyrdom, the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines said Monday.

Among those who took part in the activity were the Claretian Basilan community and religious leaders in Basilan headed by Bishop Martin Jumoad.

“Though we fall, we will rise and rise again. The courage of Fr. Gallardo will be multiplied and our faith will not waver. It’s already 15 years of his martyrdom today and still the cross stands in Basilan. We salute you Fr. Rhoel! Thank you for sharing your life to the Church. Your blood becomes the fountain of inspiration to all of us Christians, especially to the Claretian congregation!” said Bro. Nicer Natulla, project coordinator of the Claret Samal Foundation Inc.

Gallardo was tortured and killed while held captive by the Abu Sayyaf in May 2000.

At the time, the Abu Sayyaf took him hostage, along with four teachers and 22 students of the Claret School of Tumahabong  in March that year.                                               

Natulla said the Claretians continue to remember Gallardo, who he said gave up his life in the service of the faithful in Basilan.

For his part, Jumoad recalled in his homily that he went to the morgue after learning about Gallardo’s death.

There, he said he saw how serene Gallardo's face looked, despite the torture he was subjected to.

Jumoad said he saw in Gallardo's face a kind of peace showing he accepted his fate as a “martyr for peace.”

Rosary

Some of the children held hostage by the Abu Sayyaf at the time also recalled the horrors they had been through.

They recalled how Gallardo urged them not to lose hope, and asked them to always pray the rosary. They would do so discreetly as their captors prohibited them from praying. — Joel Locsin/LBG, GMA News