PNP: Missing Leyte priest depressed

PALO, Leyte, Philippines — Missing priest Edwin Caintoy might have been suffering from depression days before his disappearance, the Police Regional Office 8 said.

PRO-8 director Brig. Gen. Jason Capoy said their initial investigation point to depression as the probable reason for Caintoy’s sudden disappearance.

“We are looking into this possibility, that Father Caintoy was experiencing depression,” Capoy told reporters yesterday.

Investigators found that Caintoy was troubled after losing contact with his foster child, who allegedly left home without explanation following a minor offense.

The foster child is reportedly in Cavite.

Capoy said investigators also did not see any signs of foul play in the disappearance, as he urged the public to refrain from sharing unverified information on social media.

The Leyte Police Provincial Office (LPPO), in its social media post, said it is “coordinating with other police units and actively pursuing all leads to determine the circumstances of the incident and locate Father Caintoy as soon as possible.”

It added that Caintoy’s disappearance was discovered after he failed to celebrate the Misa de Gallo on Dec. 23.

The 55-year-old Caintoy is the parish priest of San Jose de Malibago Parish in Babatngon town.

According to the LPPO, investigators are “carefully verifying all reports,” including the social media posts that claim Caintoy has been found.

Capoy and the LPPO urge the public to inform the police if they have information related to the whereabouts of Caintoy.