Father Edwin "Kutz" Caintoy failed to officiate first dawn mass

Priest Missing Since Eve of Misa de Gallo: Parishioners, Church and Police Launch Urgent Search Across Leyte. 

PALO, Leyte – As families across Eastern Visayas gathered to mark the sacred dawn masses of Simbang Gabi, the faithful of San Jose de Malibago Parish in Babatngon town were left with empty pews at the altar – their beloved parish priest, Reverend Father Edwin “Kutz” Caintoy, 55, has been missing since two days before Christmas, sparking a widespread search that has united communities, church leaders, and law enforcement in a race against time to find him.

Disappearance Unfolds as Misa de Gallo Begins

Father Caintoy was officially reported missing on the morning of Tuesday, 23 December 2025, after he failed to arrive at his parish to officiate the first day of Misa de Gallo – a cherished Filipino Christmas tradition that draws thousands to churches across the country before dawn. Parish workers, who had prepared the church for the sacred service in anticipation of their priest’s arrival, grew increasingly concerned when he did not appear and could not be reached.

“We had everything ready – the candles were lit, the choir was in place, and people were already gathering by 4 a.m.,” said Maria Lourdes Dela Cruz, a lay leader at San Jose de Malibago Parish. “When Father Kutz didn’t show up, we thought maybe he had been delayed by bad weather or car trouble. But as minutes turned to hours, we knew something was terribly wrong.”

Read more Article

• A Merry Christmas to All Filipinos and Professionals Everywhere
• PRC Announces Application Schedule, New Test Centers for March 2026 LET; Results Slated for May 15, 2026 
• LET Passers September - November 2025 schedule of online registration of new passers/successful examinees
• March 2025 LET Board Results Licensure Examination for Professional Teachers
• Secondary LET March 2025 Results
• LPT Over 79,000 Pass Historic 2025 Teachers Licensure Exams (PRC)

Reported Sightings Prove Unfounded; Phone Remains Unanswered

In the hours following the initial report of his disappearance, unconfirmed accounts spread quickly through social media and word of mouth, placing Father Caintoy in multiple locations across Leyte. Some claimed to have seen him in Ormoc City, where he previously served as parish priest; others said he was visiting a sibling in Kananga, while there were also reports of him at the Redemptorist Church in Tacloban City and in his hometown of Abuyog.

However, after thorough verification by friends, relatives, and church officials, all these purported sightings were proven false. A close relative of Father Caintoy, who requested anonymity to protect the family’s privacy, revealed that repeated attempts to reach the priest on his mobile phone have been unsuccessful.

“His phone rings every time we call, but no one answers,” the relative shared. “We’ve sent countless messages – asking him to let us know he’s safe, to just give us a sign – but there has been no response at all. It’s unlike him to be out of touch, especially during Simbang Gabi when he knows how much the parish needs him.”

Parish staff also took proactive steps to rule out medical emergencies, contacting all major hospitals in Tacloban City to check if Father Caintoy had been admitted. All inquiries returned negative results, deepening concerns about his whereabouts.

Church Confirms Last Sighting at Tacloban Bus Terminal

In an official statement released on Wednesday, 24 December, the Archdiocese of Palo provided the first concrete lead in the search. According to church officials, Father Caintoy was last sighted at a bus terminal near Robinsons North in Tacloban City on the morning of his disappearance. He was described as wearing a white clerical polo shirt – his usual attire – and carrying a dark-colored sling bag.

“The Archdiocese of Palo is deeply concerned about the safety and well-being of Father Edwin Caintoy,” the statement read. “We are coordinating closely with local law enforcement agencies in Leyte and have mobilized our church workers, volunteers, and parish communities across the region to assist in the search efforts. We urge anyone who may have seen Father Kutz on Tuesday morning, or who has any information about his whereabouts, to come forward immediately.”

The archdiocese also emphasized that Father Caintoy had not mentioned any travel plans or personal concerns in the days leading up to his disappearance, describing him as “devoted to his flock and fully prepared to lead the parish through the Christmas season.”

Police Launch Investigation, Warn Against Spreading Unverified Information

On Thursday afternoon, the Leyte Police Provincial Office (LPPO) issued a statement confirming that it has launched an active validation and investigation into the priest’s disappearance. Authorities are pursuing all available leads, including analyzing surveillance footage from the bus terminal where Father Caintoy was last seen and conducting interviews with his family, colleagues, and parishioners.

The LPPO also addressed the spread of social media posts claiming that Father Caintoy has already been found, stressing that these reports remain completely unverified.

“The Leyte Police Provincial Office, in coordination with concerned police units including the Tacloban City Police Office, Babatngon Municipal Police Station, and other regional law enforcement agencies, is actively pursuing all leads to determine the circumstances of the incident and locate Father Caintoy at the soonest possible time,” the statement said.

Police officials issued a strong appeal to the public and media to exercise responsibility in sharing information. “We ask everyone to refrain from spreading unverified or misleading information about this case,” said LPPO Provincial Director Police Colonel Ronaldo Santos. “Such actions not only cause unnecessary alarm and distress to Father Caintoy’s family and the faithful but can also hinder our ongoing investigation by diverting resources and attention from legitimate leads.”

 

The Philippine National Police (PNP) Eastern Visayas Regional Office has also pledged full support to the LPPO, deploying additional personnel to assist in search and reconnaissance operations across key areas in Leyte.

Faithful Hold Vigils, Pray for Safe Return

As the search continues into Christmas weekend, parishioners from San Jose de Malibago and neighboring parishes have organized prayer vigils and novenas for Father Caintoy’s safe return. On Christmas Eve, hundreds gathered at the Babatngon parish church to light candles and offer special prayers for their missing priest, many holding signs that read “Bring Father Kutz Home” and “We Are Praying for You.”

“Father Kutz has been more than just a priest to us – he’s been a friend, a counselor, and a pillar of our community,” said Roberto Villanueva, a lifelong parishioner. “He was the one who baptized my children, who stood by us during Typhoon Yolanda, who helped our families through so many hardships. This Christmas won’t feel complete until we know he’s safe.”

Church leaders have also called on the faithful to keep Father Caintoy and his family in their prayers during the Christmas season, emphasizing that hope and unity are more important now than ever.

“As we celebrate the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ – who brought light into the darkness – we hold fast to the hope that Father Edwin will be found safe and sound,” said Archbishop John Du of the Archdiocese of Palo. “We trust in the goodness of our people and the diligence of our law enforcement officials, and we remain committed to doing everything in our power to bring him back to his parish family.”

Anyone with information about Father Edwin “Kutz” Caintoy’s whereabouts is encouraged to contact the Leyte Police Provincial Office at (053) 832-2558 or the San Jose de Malibago Parish at (053) 835-4219. All information will be treated with strict confidentiality.