Gelo, 20, sacristan and leptospirosis victim, laid to rest
Tears fell from members of the Nuestro Señor De Longos-Mission Station on Sunday, August 10, 2025, as Dion Gelo Dela Rosa, a 20-year-old sacristan, was laid to rest at Our Lady of Lourdes Eternal Park in Malabon City after dying of leptospirosis, which he contracted while wading through floodwaters in search of his missing father. “Siya yung naghahanap sa akin nung nawala ako,” said Jayson Dela Rosa, 41, Gelo’s father. “Kasi pag hahanap niya, umuulan. Baha. Nagkaleptospirosis ilang araw lang. Nagkalagnat tapos yun na.” Jayson had gone missing on July 22 after accompanying one of his children to a bus terminal in Caloocan, only to be detained without a warrant by local police for alleged street gambling. “Kasi nakulong ako. Maling paratang, maling sistema,” he said, recalling how the family was not informed of his arrest and only learned about it three days later. The circumstances of Gelo’s death and Jayson’s detention have sparked public outrage and calls for justice. “Kaya, masakit… Kaya, sa simbahan, justice talaga,” the grieving father said after the burial rites. He added that legal proceedings are underway. “Magkakaroon kami ng hearing… habulin namin yung matitama yung sistema.” Still, the family finds a bit of closure in the burial. “Kaya sapat na sa amin na malibing. Tapos balik sa hanap ng buhay. Balik trabaho.” Jayson also hinted at outside pressures. “May mga moves… gusto akong kausapin, pero mali. Parang threat sa akin.” Despite this, he said, “Bahala na yung husgado.”
Photograph by Yummie Dingding for DAILY TRIBUNE