Last Seen:

April 1, 1997

Pampanga
On April 1, 1997, at around 6:30 in the evening, Romeo, together with his friend, was on his way home when three unidentified armed military men wearing white shirts suddenly blocked their way. The military men grabbed and dragged Romeo towards a waiting L-200 pickup. His friend was left in shock.   After the group left, his friend went to Romeo's house and reported the incident. Romeo's father Lorenzo decided to report the incident and seek help from the Mexico mayor. Together with his nephew, Lorenzo went to the mayor's house. After reporting what happened to his son Romeo, the mayor immediately called the PC provincial command in San Fernando, Pampanga, to inquire about Romeo's whereabouts. But the response was negative. Lorenzo went home disappointed and worried.  Lorenzo believed that Romeo's disappearance was an abduction because of his involvement in the peasant struggle for land in Central Luzon, where his son served as an active peasant leader and organizer.  Up to now, Romeo Cortez remains missing.

details about their circumstances.