Fr. Caintoy is a priest in Babatngon
TACLOBAN CITY — Church authorities and police have appealed to the public for information on the whereabouts of a parish priest of the Archdiocese of Palo who has been missing since the morning of December 23, 2025, after he was last seen in Tacloban City.
In an advisory issued on December 24, the Archdiocese of Palo confirmed that Rev. Fr. Edwin “Kutz” Caintoy, parish priest of San Jose de Malibago Parish in Babatngon, Leyte, has not been heard from since he was last sighted near the bus terminal close to Robinsons North Tacloban.
Fr. Caintoy, 55, was reportedly wearing a white clerical polo shirt, black slacks, and carrying a black sling bag when he was last seen.
The archdiocese said it is closely coordinating with authorities and urged anyone with information that could help locate the priest to contact Rev. Fr. Gwen Lovelino Padagdag, chancellor of the Archdiocese of Palo, at 0928-219-3275.
“We earnestly ask the faithful to keep Fr. Caintoy in their prayers,” the archdiocese said.
Based on information released by the Babatngon Municipal Police Station (MPS), Fr. Caintoy was last seen around 9:08 a.m. on December 23. Police said he traveled to Barangay 108, Tagpuro, Tacloban City aboard an orange RUSI motorcycle driven by his sacristan, Janriel Pelapel.
From there, he reportedly boarded a NORBATCO passenger bus (Bus No. 0085, Plate No. GAW 7651) bound for Tacloban City.
Police said Fr. Caintoy disembarked near the corner of Our Lady of Guadalupe Church along Quezon Boulevard. At around 9:52 a.m., he was captured on CCTV footage from VSYS Department Store walking toward Robinsons North Tacloban. Since then, he has not returned and his whereabouts remain unknown.
Fr. Caintoy stands about 5’6” tall, has a large build and fair complexion. He is a native of Abuyog, Leyte, and has served as parish priest of San Jose de Malibago Parish for about five years. The parish covers several island barangays in Babatngon.
Due to his absence, Archbishop John Du designated another priest to preside over the Misa de Gallo at San Jose de Malibago Parish.
The Babatngon MPS, under the leadership of Officer-in-Charge PCapt. Junriel Rosario, said a flash alarm has been issued to neighboring police stations and concerned agencies to assist in locating the missing priest.
JOEY A. GABIETA
