The Archdiocese of Palo has reported one of its priests missing since Dec. 23, as police issued a flash alarm and appealed to the public for information.
In a statement dated Dec. 24, the Archdiocese said it was “saddened by the report that Rev. Fr. Edwin ‘Kutz’ A. Caintoy, a priest of the Archdiocese, has been reported missing since December 23, 2025.”
The Archdiocese said Fr. Caintoy “was sighted in the Bus Terminal near Robinsons North in Tacloban City” on the morning of Dec. 23. He was “last seen wearing a white clerical polo shirt and carrying a sling bag,” the statement said.
“His current whereabouts remain unknown,” it added, noting that the Archdiocese “is coordinating closely with the proper authorities regarding this matter.”
The Archdiocese appealed for public assistance, saying, “Anyone with information that may assist in locating Fr. Caintoy is kindly requested to contact Rev. Fr. Gwen Lovelino Padagdag.”
It also asked the faithful “to keep Fr. Caintoy in their prayers.”
In a flash alarm dated Dec. 25, the Babatngon Municipal Police Station said the priest allegedly traveled to Barangay 108, Tagpuro, Tacloban City aboard an orange RUSI motorcycle driven by his sacristan.
He later boarded a passenger bus bound for Tacloban City and reportedly disembarked near Our Lady of Guadalupe Church along Quezon Boulevard.
Police said CCTV footage captured him at around 9:52 a.m. from a department store in Tacloban, walking toward Robinsons North Tacloban. His whereabouts have remained unknown since then.
The Babatngon police said they have issued a flash alarm to neighboring police stations and concerned agencies and urged anyone with information to contact the Babatngon Municipal Police Station.
