Another pro-poor priest to continue Roda’s programs

COTABATO CITY – The Oblates of Mary Immaculate has replaced slain priest Jesus Rey Roda with another equally pro-poor missionary to continue his projects for impoverished Muslim communities in Tabawan, Tawi-Tawi.

Masked gunmen attempted to snatch Roda, 55, from the campus of Notre Dame of Tabawan last Jan. 16, but killed him instead when he resisted.

Oblate priest Rito Daquipil, 52, assumed all of Roda’s missionary works in Tabawan town, including his humanitarian projects, among them the protection of the vast fishing grounds around the island of Tabawan from dynamite and cyanide fishing.

“I will continue what Fr. Rey had started. I will see to it that his vision of a progressive, peaceful Tabawan will materialize. Like Fr. Rey, I’m prepared for any eventuality,” Daquipil said.

One of Roda’s projects in Tabawan, where he spent the last 10 years of his life, was his scholarship program for poor, but deserving Samah and Tausog high school and college students.

Many of those who finished college through Roda’s scholarship thrust have returned to Tawi-Tawi and Sulu to work as teachers and social workers.

Daquipil is no stranger to missionary work in poor Muslim areas, having been assigned in Moro communities in the South since he became a priest more than two decades ago.