41 years later: Cebu groups renew call for justice for Fr. Rudy Romano

CEBU CITY, Philippines — Human rights advocates, church leaders, activists, and members of the Redemptorist community gathered in Barangay Tisa on Saturday, July 11, to commemorate the 41st anniversary of the enforced disappearance of Redemptorist priest Fr. Rudy Romano.

The annual commemoration renewed calls for truth, justice, and accountability more than four decades after Romano disappeared.

READ: Fr. Rudy Romano: The ‘disappeared’ priest who stood for the oppressed

Participants gathered at the historical marker along Katipunan Street in Barangay Tisa, where suspected military operatives abducted Romano on July 11, 1985.

They also honored student activist Levi Ybañez, whom suspected soldiers abducted separately on the same day along Sanciangco Street in Cebu City.

READ: Fr. Rudy Romano remembered on 34th year since his disappearance

The group offered flowers, lit candles, and held prayers for both victims.

Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN) Central Visayas organized the activity with the Redemptorist community, Kalihukang Sugbuanon Kontra Korapsyon, and other sectoral organizations.

Remembering Fr. Rudy

The Redemptorists ordained Romano in 1964. He later dedicated his ministry to workers, peasants, fisherfolk, urban poor communities, and Indigenous Peoples across the Visayas and Mindanao.

As martial law intensified political repression, Romano expanded his ministry into human rights work. He documented abuses and supported communities affected by militarization.

He also served as executive secretary of the Coalition Against Political Persecution (CAPP). In addition, he helped establish the Visayas Ecumenical Movement for Justice and Peace (VEMJP). BAYAN later elected him as its first Visayas vice president after the alliance formed in 1985.

Romano was 44 years old when suspected military operatives allegedly abducted him in Barangay Tisa. Authorities have never found him.

Human rights groups continue to recognize him as one of the country’s most prominent victims of enforced disappearance during the Marcos dictatorship.

Calls for justice

During the ceremony, participants renewed calls to surface all victims of enforced disappearance and hold those responsible accountable.

BAYAN Central Visayas said the annual gathering honors Romano and Ybañez while reminding the public that many families still search for missing loved ones.

The group also said remembering Romano means continuing the fight for justice and defending human rights.

Redemptorists renew appeal

In a statement, the Redemptorists in the Philippines described Romano as “a faithful Redemptorist missionary who chose to walk with the abandoned and marginalized.”

The congregation said remembering Romano is not simply about recalling the past.

Instead, it urged Filipinos to confront issues that continue to affect the country, including corruption, inequality, weak public accountability, environmental destruction, and human rights concerns.

“The unresolved disappearance of Fr. Rudy—and of all victims of enforced disappearance—remains a painful reminder that genuine peace cannot exist where truth is hidden and justice remains elusive,” read part of the statement.

The Redemptorists also urged government leaders to uphold integrity, transparency, accountability, and respect for human rights. They likewise called on the Church and civil society to continue defending truth and human dignity.

Legacy lives on

Solidarity activities also took place outside Cebu.

In Davao City, BAYAN Southern Mindanao joined youth groups and church workers in commemorating Romano’s disappearance. The group said his life continues to inspire activists, community organizers, and human rights defenders.

For many who gathered in Tisa, Romano’s disappearance remains an unresolved chapter in Philippine history.

Forty-one years after he vanished, supporters continue to demand answers. They also continue to seek justice—not only for Romano and Ybañez—but for all victims of enforced disappearance.

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.

Your subscription has been successful.