Preparations are underway for the possible beatification of a Claretian missionary who died more than two decades ago at the hands of the Abu Sayyaf group.

CBCP News said the Prelature of Isabela in Basilan "is preparing to open the cause of beatification" of the Servant of God, Fr. Rhoel Gallardo, as it commemorates the priest's 21st death anniversary on May 3.

The formal opening of the “cause of martyrdom” will be held on May 3 during a Mass at San Vicente Ferrer Parish Church in the village of Tumahubong in the town of Sumisip in Basilan province, where Gallardo last served as parish priest, it said. It will be led by Bishop Leo Dalmao of Isabela, who is also a Claretian missionary,

According to Claretians, Tumahubong village is tantamount to Gallardo and to many others who also shed their blood for their faith and principles.

“It is the promised land, the testing ground of arduous hearts for the mission, the love of those who see Jesus amidst religious and political conflicts,” they said.

CBCP News said Rome-based Fr. Krzysztof Gierat, the General Postulator for the Causes of Saints of the Claretian missionaries, will serve as postulator, with Fr. Efren Limpo, also a Claretian priest, as vice postulator.

At the age of 33, Gallardo died on May 3, 2000 in a crossfire between the Abu Sayyaf group holding him hostage and the security forces trying to rescue those who were kidnaped, including teachers and children.

The Abu Sayyaf group kidnapped Gallardo on March 20, 2000, along with four teachers and students from the Claret School of Tumahubong.

"The month and a half-long hostage crisis were also days of heroism for the 33-year-old priest. Witnesses said he would always look for the female teachers when they were separated from other captives. His concern irked the bandits who punched and kicked him until he was badly bruised,” CBCP News said.

Survivors recalled how Gallardo reminded them to pray the rosary and encouraged them not to lose hope, even as their captors forced them to denounce Christianity.

Along with Gallardo, three teachers and five children were also killed.

Gallardo was born in Olongapo City in 1965. His missionary life started during his novitiate when he was sent to serve in Zamboanga City’s town of Bunguiao.

In 1989, he made his first religious profession in Isabela and completed his pastoral year in Maluso town, also in Basilan.

“My pastoral immersion in Basilan last year made me experience concretely our witnessing and evangelizing life and mission to the poor (as well as) our Community’s presence in the dialogue of life and faith with our Muslim brothers and sisters,” Gallardo wrote in his application for the perpetual profession.

“These experiences as a whole have become a real challenge to me to be a committed missionary and active witness to God’s liberating love for humanity... conscious that our life and mission demand a total giving of ourselves for the greater glory of God and the salvation of humankind,” he added.

Gallardo was ordained to the priesthood at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish in Quezon City in 1994, a year after he made his first perpetual profession.

A few years after his ordination, he had volunteered to go to Tumahubong, where he served as the director of the Claret School and as parish priest, CBCP News said.