A Catholic priest died of the coronavirus disease in the province of Bukidnon on Saturday, May 1.
Father Diomedes Brigoli succumbed to the disease at the Northern Mindanao Medical Center in Cagayan de Oro City.
Attending physicians declared the parish priest of Libona in Bukidnon dead “due to COVID-19 complications” at past eight in the evening.
Father Virgilio Delfin, spokesperson of the Diocese of Malaybalay, said another priest, Father Pablo Salengua, is also confined at the hospital after displaying COVID-19 symptoms.
The Diocese of Malaybalay has ordered the temporary closure of the Nazareno parish church in Libona and the Saints Peter & Paul parish church in Dalirig, Manolo Fortich town.
“The closure is indefinite until such time the towns’ local inter-agency task force opens them,” said Father Delfin.
Several priests from churches in Misamis Oriental province and the city of Cagayan de Oro were also reported to have been infected by COVID-19.
Father Der John Faborada, head of the Social Action Center in Cagayan de Oro, said six priests were already infected and churches were temporary closed.
