EDITORIAL - Fr. Rudy Romano 40 years on

Today marks the 40th anniversary of what is arguably Cebu’s most famous, or should we say infamous, cold case; the disappearance of Fr. Rudy Romano. We cannot blame those who belong to the younger generation for not being familiar with the name, but for those who are older it will always be one of the most enduring local mysteries and unsolved crimes.

On July 11, 1985, Fr. Rudy Romano, a priest of the Redemptorist Order, also an activist, and vocal critic against human rights violations, was abducted in Barangay Tisa, Cebu City, allegedly by members of the military. He was never seen again and is now presumed long dead.

This happened during a dark age in Philippine history, at the height of the desaparecidos, “the disappeared”, those who went missing for one reason or another and were never heard from since. To be found dead with torture and gunshot wounds was considered lucky; at least the family had some form of closure and a body to bury.

What made the Romano case even more sensational than the usual disappearance of an activist or student leader was the fact that he was a churchman, a man of the cloth. We know how much influence such men wield and we know how Filipinos from all walks of life have such respect for such men.

It wouldn’t hurt to look into this incident again. Is the case still active? Is it still being investigated? Are those doing the sleuthing still alive? Do they have any leads at all? Are those suspected of the crime still alive?

We have said before that if this case was solved now, during the administration of a Marcos president, it will do wonders to close circles or heal wounds because when Romano disappeared in 1985 it was also during the administration of a Marcos, in fact of the current president’s late father.

But then again, it might also just prove theories that the previous Marcos administration had something to do with the disappearance.