The quiet coastal municipality of Babatngon has found itself at the center of a worrying episode as the parish priest of San Jose de Malibago Parish, Reverend Father Edwin “Kutz” Caintoy, 55, has been missing since the morning of December 23, 2025.
The case has triggered widespread concern among churchgoers, local residents, and law enforcement, prompting a coordinated search effort amid strict advisories against misinformation.
Father Caintoy, a respected priest of the Archdiocese of Palo, was last documented on closed-circuit footage in Tacloban City around 9:52 a.m., walking toward the Robinsons North Tacloban shopping center after disembarking from a bus.
Prior to that, he had traveled from Babatngon aboard a motorcycle driven by his sacristan and boarded a NORBATCO passenger bus bound for the city.
Since the CCTV sighting, his whereabouts remain unknown.
Local police, led by the Leyte Police Provincial Office (LPPO) and the Babatngon Municipal Police Station, have intensified validation and search operations.
Officers reviewed CCTV footage, issued flash alarms to neighboring units, and are actively following any leads that could shed light on Father Caintoy’s movements after his last confirmed sighting.
Authorities are also strengthening monitoring in key areas and coordinating with other police stations.
The police have cautioned the public against spreading unverified reports on social media that could impede the investigation or cause unnecessary alarm.
They have reiterated that only official sources should be relied on for confirmed updates, affirming that speculation can hinder ongoing efforts.
The Archdiocese of Palo has repeatedly confirmed its close coordination with law enforcement and appealed to the faithful for prayers and public assistance.
In official statements, church leaders reiterated that Father Caintoy’s disappearance is being taken seriously and that information from credible sources is crucial for his safe return.
They have provided contact numbers for both church and police channels to encourage tips from the public.
Babatngon parishioners and residents have expressed alarm and solidarity.
For many, Father Caintoy is not only a spiritual leader but also a familiar presence in community life.
The uncertainty surrounding his disappearance has prompted vigils and prayer drives in the days following his last sighting.
The timing of Father Caintoy’s disappearance in the middle of the busy holiday season compounds community anxiety, as loved ones expected him to return well before Christmas.
The presence of CCTV footage and multiple witness accounts establishes a clear timeline up to a point, but the abrupt cessation of verifiable sightings makes this case more complex than typical missing person reports.
(Contributed photo)
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