Day 6: Still no clue where to find missing Leyte priest
TACLOBAN CITY—Local officials in Babatngon, Leyte, have appealed to police authorities to hasten efforts to locate Catholic priest Edwin “Kutz” Caintoy, who has been missing since Dec. 23.
Fr. Caintoy, 55, parish priest of San Jose de Malibago Parish in Babatngon, and a native of Abuyog town in Leyte, went missing after he failed to return to his parish following a trip to Tacloban City.
Police still have no clue as to his whereabouts, even as police have intensified their investigation into his disappearance, based on the directive of Police Brig. Gen. Jason Capoy, acting director of the Police Regional Office in Eastern Visayas (PRO-8.)
“We are worried because Father has not shown up yet and we still have no news about his condition. I am honestly confused because Father does not seem to be the kind of person who would be targeted for kidnapping. He is not wealthy and there is no apparent reason for anyone to harm him,” Babatngon Councilor Larry Menzon said on Sunday.
Menzon added that the municipal officials planned to request regular updates from the police regarding the status of the investigation.
Well-loved
He described Caintoy as a well-loved priest who recently led the renovation of the San Jose de Malibago Church. The last time Menzon saw him was about a month ago.
Police Col. Analiza Armeza, PRO-8 information officer, said authorities were still conducting a thorough investigation, stressing that all possible angles are being considered.
“There is no specific lead as of now, but all possible angles are taken into consideration,” Armeza said, although she declined to provide further details.
Initial police investigation showed Caintoy left Babatngon on the morning of Dec. 23 to travel to Tacloban City, where he reportedly planned to hear confessions at a church. He was last seen at around 9:08 a.m. after arriving in Barangay 108, Tagpuro, Tacloban City, aboard an orange Rusi motorcycle driven by his sacristan (church assistant), identified as Janriel Pelapel.
From Tagpuro, Caintoy allegedly boarded a Norbatco passenger bus (Bus No. 0085, Plate No. GAW 7651) bound for downtown Tacloban. He reportedly disembarked near the corner of Our Lady of Guadalupe Church along Quezon Boulevard.
At 9:52 a.m., closed-circuit television footage from VSYS Department Store showed Caintoy walking toward Robinsons North Tacloban. Police said this was the last confirmed sighting of the priest.
Caintoy, who stands about 1.52 meters (5 feet) 6 inches tall with a large build, has served as the parish priest of San Jose de Malibago Parish for about five years. The parish covers several island barangays, making him a familiar and respected figure in the community.
Authorities continued to urge anyone with information regarding Caintoy’s whereabouts to coordinate with the police.
