MARIGOT:--- Robert Heyliger, the father of missing French soldier Rodrique Heyliger who went missing in Gabon, South Africa is outraged at the French Government regarding the disappearance of his son who served the French Army for almost 23 years. The elderly Heyliger told SMN News that his family was notified by the Gendarmes that his son Rodrique went missing while on duty in Africa on November 1st, 2013 but since then they are not getting any information as to the investigation and possible recovery of his son's body. "The Gendarmes notified us on November 1st, 2013 but up to now we do not know when he went missing and how it happened. We believe that the French Government is hiding something because they have to know the last day he was on duty." Heyliger said he needs written documents, for example his son's schedule so he could know exactly when his son went missing, where and how. He said some news reports state that his son went missing while fishing in Gabon, other reports state he went missing while at sea in a helicopter. "I have nothing and information on the whereabouts of my son is not given to us (his relatives). My son was single when he went missing, he was married but got divorced 8 years ago, so the people that have to get information on the whereabouts of Rodrique Heyliger are his parents both of whom are alive and living in St. Maarten. My son was due to return home on December 7th to celebrate his 40th birthday on December 31st. He wanted to come back home to be with his mother for a few months and then he would have gone back and complete 25 years in the French army before retiring to return home where he had intended to start his own business.
At the time the elderly Heyliger was speaking to SMN News he was crying non-stop saying that he has 15 children, and he is very happy that his son chose to serve his country and not be on the side of the road smoking but today it's unbearable to see that the government has chosen not to respect his parents. "Some days ago two "white" soldiers were deployed to Africa and I saw the President Francois Hollande going to the army base and sharing his sympathy and condolences on the loss of the two young soldiers. When I saw this it tore my heart open, I asked myself if it's because my son is a black man his family is not given respect. My son served his country for over 22 years and yet no one cares." Heyliger said his other children did everything possible to get information from the French army but they are not getting any information. Heyliger said the only thing he wants is to get the body of his son, so he could lay him to rest and begin healing. "My wife is very sick and all of us including his brothers and sisters need closure. We want to know that Rodrique is really dead. This is not easy for us because Christmas is approaching and the only thing my children talk about is the disappearance of their brother." Heyliger said the family has not seen his son for about ten years because he travels a lot. "Even though we are not seeing him he calls home quite often." Heyliger said he never envisioned that he would have to bury his child and even that he is not able to do because there is no news on the recovery of his body."
Heyliger who is supported by his other children and extended relatives said that one moment they were told that the body of his son was recovered. This information he said was on Facebook. Later they learnt that the body that was recovered is not the remains of his son because the dental records of his son did not match that of the corpse. Heyliger said a female friend of his late son went to Africa and identified his son through the clothing he was wearing but that person had to leave Africa and go back to Italy.