MARYLAND FIL-AM'S BODY FISHED OUT OF POTOMAC RIVER

The mystery of a body fished out the Potomac River last July 6 was solved when it was finally identified as that of a 59-year-old Filipino from Maryland.

Grace Valera, co-executive directors of the Migrant Heritage Commission (MHC), identified the man as Rodolfo “Rudy” Concepcion, a long-time member of the Catholic charismatic group El Shaddai and a resident of Kensington, Maryland.

“His friends and family member got worried when he did not return home last July 4,” she said in an email appeal.

Concepcion reportedly survived a stroke 3 years ago that left him unable to find work. He turned instead to church work, spending more time with the El Shaddai.

In reportedly left his home alone on the evening of July 4 and was the last his relatives saw him.

Valera quoted police reports saying that his body was found floating naked on the Potomac River at 12:51 AM of July 6. It was towed to shore and recovered at 9:51 AM that same morning.

His car was found abandoned by State Police.

Valera said his friends and relatives were “shocked upon learning of the news, knowing that Rudy always goes home and always maintained a happy disposition.”

She said the police was still looking into Concepcion’s cause of death.

“Please pray for the repose of his soul,” she said in the email message.

His remains were brought to the Rendon Hale Funeral Homes along Annapolis Road in Lanham, MD.

“Rudy has been unemployed for the last 3 years and is therefore bereft of funds to meet repatriation expenses,” Valera appealed.

She explained that Concepcion’s wife is a domestic worker who did not have regular hours and was employed only intermittently.

Valera said repatriation to the Philippines costs from $10,000 to $15,000.