Fr. Rhoel Gallardo

"He was a simple, unassuming Claretian missionary, but of extraordinary courage," described Fr. Carlos de Rivas, Provincial Superior of the Claretians in the Philippines. That ordinary man of extraordinary zeal, Fr. Rhoel D. Gallardo, was born to Dominador Gallardo and Mrs. Raquel Dayap Gallardo in Olongapo City on November 29, 1965. He made his first religious professions in Isabela, Basilan on May 1, 1989 and his perpetual profession at the Claret House, Quezon City on July 16, 1993. He was ordained to the priesthood at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish, Quezon City on December 6, 1994.

Fr. Rhoel willingly accepted the assignment in the most difficult and most dangerous mission, which is Tumahubong. He was pastor to the persecuted Christian community of Tumahubong. He was a director of Claret School, the students of which are mostly Muslims. When Claret School of Tumahubong was attacked by the Abu Sayyaf on March 20,2000, Fr. Rhoel did not try to escape, instead he confronted the attackers and tried to defend the people. Thus he was abducted together with some teachers and students. During his captivity he did not waver in his faith and continued to minister to his fellow captives, according to the possibilities of the situation. He would ask his captors, every now and then, of the whereabouts of his companions who were taken away. In the evening he would lead his companions to pray the rosary. He refused to wear any Muslim garb. He refused to worship with his Muslim captors. For all these he was tortured and brutally killed on May 3, 2000.

For Bishop Romulo de la Cruz of Basilan, Fr. Rhoel died for the faith. For may people, he died for peace. For many priests and religious, he is a martyr. The blood of martyrs is the seed of the Christian faith. Thus the death of Fr. Rhoel is a gift to the Church this Great Jubilee Year.