Lay minister dies on his way to dawn mass

CEBU, Philippines - A lay minister died while on his way to attend the “Misa de Gallo” or dawn mass in Barangay Talavera, Toledo City.

Instead of assisting in the mass, he was instead taken to the hospital after he met a road accident on the national highway of Barangay Matab-ang at about 1:45 in the morning.

Lay minister Wilfredo Quintinita, 45, single, of Sitio Buyo, Barangay Matab-ang was declared dead on arrival at the Toledo City Hospital.

Dr. Arlene Perez declared him dead due to severe head injuries.

Eleodoro Apas Jr., 35, of Barangay Vito, Minglanilla is currently detained at the Matab-ang police station. Apas was the driver of the Nissan Navarra bearing SJC-521 owned by the municipality of Asturias.

SPO3 Allan Barquin, chief of the traffic unit of the TCPS, said that Quintinita was driving his Honda motorcycle on his way to Barangay Talavera to serve during the mass when he was hit by the Nissan Navarra which was reportedly traveling from the opposite lane, on the center line of the road.

Further police investigation disclosed that the headlight of Quintinita’s motorcycle was turned off and as he reached the dark portion of the road, he just used the tiny flashlight on his cigarette lighter.

Apas allegedly failed to notice the tiny light coming from the flashlight that caused the accident.

As the motorcycle fell on its side, Quintinita was reportedly dragged along with it, resulting to his injuries.

Apas however voluntarily surrendered to the Matab-ang police precinct while the two vehicles are now under police custody.

Quintinita’s remains now lies at the St. Francis Funeral Homes and is scheduled for autopsy.— (FREEMAN)