Zamboanga Archbishop Romulo dela Cruz died on Friday, Dec. 10 after a long battle with a lingering illness. He was 74.
In a Facebook post by the Parroquia dela Nuestra Señora La Virgen dela Paz Y Buen Viaje, it said that Dela Cruz died at 11:05 p.m. at the Zamboanga Doctors’ Hospital.
"He has long suffered from his illness and is now given relief to enjoy eternal peace in heaven," the statement said.
"The Lord has given the Archdiocese of Zamboanga a great gift in the person of Abp. Romulo Dela Cruz, D.D. We have been blessed by his fatherly guidance and love for the past seven years," it further stated.
Dela Cruz was appointed Archbishop of Zamboanga on March 15, 2014. He was born in Balasan, Iloilo on June 24, 1947.
He was ordained at the Archdiocese of Cotabato on Dec. 8, 1972. In 1987, he was appointed coadjutor bishop of Isabela and became its bishop in January 28, 1989.