A longtime Mindanao peace advocate died Sunday, May 23 due to heart attack.
CBCP News said the Philippine Province of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate (OMI) said Father Eliseo “Jun” Mercado passed away at the Cotabato Regional Medical Center at 3:25 p.m.
The 72-year-old priest had been hospitalized with complications from coronavirus disease (COVID-19) since May 8.
A day before his death, the congregation said the priest’s test result yielded negative for the virus.
He was also transferred to the hospital’s intensive care unit to complete his recovery.
“Things seemed to go well”, they said, when “suddenly his heart stopped due to heart attack”.
“Please pray for the repose of his soul,” said the OMI, describing Mercado as “one of our giants”.
“His presence and contribution to the Philippine Province and to the worldwide community of the Missionary Oblate of Mary Immaculate will be sorely missed,” it added.