MANILA, Philippines (Daily Sun Chronicle) — A Catholic priest from the Cavanis religious congregation died in a road crash Thursday while traveling to Davao City to celebrate Mass, authorities said.
Police identified the fatality as the Rev. Francis Panistan Cadagdagon, CSCh, 38. The road crash, investigators said, occurred at about 2:30 p.m. on June 18 along the Coastal Road in Barangay J.P. Laurel, Panabo City.
According to an initial investigation by the Panabo City Police Station, Cadagdagon was riding a motorcycle toward Davao City when he reportedly lost control while negotiating a curve covered with loose gravel. Police said he attempted to brake, causing the motorcycle to skid and topple over. The impact threw the priest onto the roadway, where he fell into the path of a prime mover truck traveling behind him. One of the truck’s wheels struck him, causing fatal injuries.
Responders from the Panabo City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office rushed Cadagdagon to Carmen District Hospital, where doctors declared him dead on arrival.
Police have taken custody of the truck driver and the vehicles involved as part of an ongoing investigation.
Cadagdagon, who belonged to the Congregation of the Schools of Charity, was ordained to the priesthood on June 8, 2024, at the Duomo of Milan in Italy. His death prompted an outpouring of grief from fellow clergy members, parishioners, and religious communities across the region.
In a statement posted on social media, St. Francis Xavier Parish-Tibungco expressed sorrow over the priest’s passing. “With deep sorrow and gratitude, we join the entire Cavanis Community in mourning the passing of Fr. Francis M. Cadagdagon, CSCh,” the parish said. “His faith, humility, kindness, and unwavering commitment to his vocation have touched countless lives and inspired many to draw closer to Christ.”
The parish thanked God for the priest’s life and ministry and urged the faithful to remember him in their prayers.
Messages of condolence and prayers have since poured in from members of the clergy, religious communities, and Catholic faithful, who continue to pray for the eternal repose of Cadagdagon’s soul and for comfort for his family and fellow religious brothers.
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