Palo archdiocese priest reported missing

A priest of the Archdiocese of Palo was reported missing, two days after he last seen in Tacloban City. 

According to the Babatngon Municipal Police Station (MPS) in Leyte on Thursday, the missing individual was identified as Fr. Edwin "Kutz" Caintoy, 55 years old, parish priest of San Jose de Malibago Parish and a resident of Abuyog, Leyte.

Caintoy was last seen around 9:08 a.m. on Tuesday, December 23, police said.

He allegedly traveled to Barangay 108, Tagpuro, Tacloban City, aboard an orange motorcycle driven by a sacristan. Upon arrival in Tagpuro, he boarded a NORBATCO passenger bus.

“Fr. Caintoy reportedly disembarked at the corner of Our Lady of Guadalupe Church along Quezon Boulevard, Tacloban City. At around 9:52 a.m., he was captured on CCTV from VSYS Department Store, walking toward Robinsons North Tacloban,” police said.

“Since then, his whereabouts remain unknown, and he has not returned up to this time,” it added.

The missing priest was described as about 5 feet 6 inches tall, large-built, with a fair complexion. He was last seen wearing a white clerical polo, black slacks, and carrying a black sling bag.

Police urged anyone with information on his whereabouts to immediately contact the Babatngon Municipal Police Station through its hotline at 0998-598-6483.

They can also personally report to the police station located in Barangay District I, Babatngon, Leyte.

In a statement, the Archdiocese of Palo said it is coordinating with authorities about the matter.

Those who have any information may contact Fr. Gwen Padagdag, chancellor of the Archdiocese of Palo, at 09282193275.

“We earnestly ask the faithful to keep Fr. Caintoy in their prayers,” Padagdag said.  —VBL, GMA Integrated News