A parish priest in Rosario, Cavite, was discovered alive in his car on Sunday after he went missing for almost two days.
Most Holy Rosary parish priest Reverend Father Leoben Peregrino was found unconscious and tied up in the backseat of his vehicle when he was found in Barangay Lumil in Silang, Cavite, according to Rosario Municipal Police chief, Lt. Col. Ruther Saquilayan.
"Natagpuan po siya ni Barangay Captain Nolasco Guevarra … na nakatali po yung dalawang kamay sa likod ng kanyang sasakyan," said Saquilayan.
(He was found by Barangay Captain Nolasco Guevarra… both of his hands were tied behind his vehicle.)
"Si Father po ay nakita po na unconscious," he added. "Ito'y nakaupo sa sahig sa likod ng driver's seat at 'yung paa po ay nakasayad po doon sa lupa."
(He was found unconscious. He was sitting behind the driver’s seat while his feet were touching the ground.)
Peregrino was reported missing when the priest failed to return after saying he would be buying candles in Imus, Cavite.
He did not bring with him his driver as well as his cellphone, which he left in his office, according to the police chief.
After the discovery, Peregrino was taken to a hospital in Santa Rosa, Laguna, before being transferred to De La Salle University Medical Center in Dasmariñas, Cavite.
Saquilayan said they are still waiting for a report from the hospital if Peregrino sustained any injuries from the incident.
No leads yet
Meanwhile, the Rosario police chief said they are still investigating if what happened to Peregrino was a case of abduction, adding that they have yet to find any leads over the incident.
"So far wala pa [pong leads]. Talagang nagba-backtrack po kami sa mga CCTV, nakakalap po namin kung meron talagang abduction kung meron man po," Saquilayan said.
(So far there are still no leads. We are really backtracking the incident through the CCTV and gathering evidence if this was a case of abduction.)
According to the officer, their interview with the people close to the priest revealed that Peregrino was behaving anxiously before he went missing.
"Napansin din po 'yung unusual na kilos ni Father," said Saquilayan. "Parang aburido, may pinangangambahan. Sobrang balisa po for the past two weeks po."
(They noticed Father’s unusual behavior. He seemed very much worried like he was concerned. He was anxious for the past two weeks.)
"Last March 30 po, nagkausap po silang magkakapatid at ito'y naghahabilin sa kanyang kapatid na may mga bilin na sila na ang bahala kung may mangyayari sa kanya, tapos 'yung sa mga kasamahan niya sa kumbento, sinabihan niya rin," he said.
(Last March 30, the siblings talked to each other and the priest entrusted to his siblings some instructions should something happen to him. He also informed his colleagues at the convent.)
Saquilayan said they have not yet spoken with Peregrino regarding the incident, adding that they are waiting for the go signal from medical authorities because the priest is still traumatized.
"Pinagbabawalan pa po kaming kausapin si Father because he suffered a traumatic [experience] and medyo unconscious po kahapon," he said.
(We are still prohibited from speaking to Father because he suffered a traumatic [experience] and he was still slightly unconscious yesterday.)
"Ang magbibigay linaw ay wala naman pong iba kung hindi si Father Peregrino para malaman natin kung ano talaga ang tunay na pangyayari."
(The only person who could provide clarity here is none other than Father Peregrino so we can find out what really happened.)
