Masbate Bishop Jose Bantolo passes away at 65

Masbate Bishop Jose Bantolo of Masbate died on Saturday evening at the age of 65, the Diocese of Masbate announced.

According to a news article on CBCP News, Bantolo passed away at 10:36 p.m. Saturday. No other details were given as of posting time.

Bantolo was ordained a priest for the Diocese of San Jose de Antique in 1986 and was appointed bishop of Masbate on June 15, 2011. He was ordained to the episcopate on Aug. 22, 2011.

He was installed as the third bishop of Masbate on Sept. 6, 2011.

Bantolo served the Diocese of Masbate for 14 years. He was also a former member of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines’ (CBCP) Permanent Council and a former chair of its Episcopal Commission on Culture.

“We give thanks for his life of service and selfless leadership,” the Diocese of Masbate said in extending sympathies to Bantolo’s family and the faithful of Masbate.

In a Facebook post on Sunday, the Diocese of Masbate – Office of Communications said Bantolo’s remains may be viewed at the Chapel of the Ascencion, The Cathedral Grottos, Immaculate Conception Cathedral of Cubao until December 16.

His remains will be brought to Antique on December 17, with details of his wake and funeral arrangements in Masbate to be released later. — JMA, GMA Integrated News