Fr. Joe, thank you for everything, thank you for serving and touching every Tausug's life

COTABATO CITY
- The Oblates of Mary Immaculate (OMI), the Archdiocese of Cotabato and Prelature
of Jolo mourned the tragic death of Fr. Jose Ante, OMI in a highway accident in
Matanao, Davao del Sur Friday.

Messages of
condolences poured as the news about Fr. Ante, more known as Fr. Joe,” spread
in the social media and the online news network of Notre Dame Broadcasting
Corporation Friday noon.

Many of those
who knew Fr. Joe were shocked and in disbelief as the news spread starting at
10 a.m.

Church staff and
religious of San Miguel Archangel parish? in Matanao, Davao del Sur were
stunned when police officers showed up and told them a priest figured in a car
accident.

In the name
of San Miguel Archangel in Matanao, we expressed sadness and sympathy to family,
friends and to the Archdiocese of Cotabato on the demise of Fr. Jose Ante,” the
parish FB account said.

We the
convent staff, along with Fr. Antonio Sila and Fr. Allan Joie, were surprised
by the report that a priest died in a car accident because the Matanao PNP
showed up at the parish looking for priests who knew Fr. Jose Ante so his
congregation will know,” it added.

sand//fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xlp1/v/t1.0-9/12294742_10206680359521946_2156926169783401205_n.jpg?oh=0e13ce329fd751def23a4f01f43b3a48andampoe=56EDC5D3andamp__gda__=1458568333_9a8d9d6b64192743350a2b146d4191d3 Fr. Joe was driving a blue Isuzu Crosswind (LGG-776) heading to Davao City when the front right wheel burst at about 9:30 a.m. as he was negotiating a downward curve in Kilometer 70, Barangay Sinawilan, Matanao, Davao del Sur.The car then swerved to the right toward the unpaved part of the road, then turned left and turned around,hitting an on-coming Isuzu elf truck. The passenger side of Fr. Joe's car hit the driver side of truck.Police said Fr. Joe's car did not turn turtle but he sustained serious head and body injuries due to the impact. He was going to Davao but after the accidenthis car halted facing Kidapawan.Passersby rushed him to the hospital using atricycle.At 12 noon Friday,
Fr. Amador Taddy” Castillo, OMI was one of those who first broke the news online
about the tragic incident.

He also posted
on his FB accountand Last night, our 5 novices had their habit taking, 3 Chinese,
2 Filipinos. .... Fr Ante was still with us last night.”

A friend of
Fr. Joe, Maita P. Juan, was shocked to learn in a text message from Fr. Joe’s
mobile phone about the incident.

Juan was chatting
with Fr. Castillo, OMI on the incident. Sobrang nabigla po ako sa pangyayari,
fr Taddy. hanggang ngaun, umiiyak pa din po ako. me nag-text po sa akin (using
fr. Ante's cp#), from a police station. may he rest in peace.”

Fr. Dennis
Gui, OMI, parish priest of Our Lady of Salvation parish in South Upi,
Maguindanao, also posted in his FB account a prayer after he learned of Fr. Joe’s
demise.

Lord, as we
mourn the sudden death of Fr. Joe Ante, comfort us with the great power of your
love and strengthen us in our faith that he is with you forever.

We ask this
through Christ our Lord. Amen.”

Fr. Ross
Kapunan, OMI saidand While we rejoice in the addition of newly ordained Oblates
in our ranks we also mourn the loss of our brother Fr. Joe Ante, OMI. News
reached us that he was involved in a car accident this morning. Let us pray for
his eternal rest. May he rest in peace.”

Told of Fr. Joe’s demise, Marrio Mapanao of
Midsayap, North Cotabato postedand Got to know him at a National Muslim-Christian
Dialogue Jan. 1976 in Marawi City. Visited him and work in Jolo. Then got to
say hello at the Oblate 75th in Midsayap at the Genoveva Jaranilla Hall (gym).”

Felino Jequinto postedand I was going through the
Oblate website for the past two nights and I saw in one group picture a tall
guy in the background, I said, there's Joe Ante! Tonight my wife, Emmeline,
asked me if I have checked my fb, I said no why? Fr. Joe Ante is dead! I was
speechless! May he rest in peace! Condolence to the Ante family.”

Toni C. Sinco also postedand Fr Jose Ante is a good friend of my Dad.
Speaks highly of him. To die in an accident is so sudden and unexpected. May he
rest in Peace. Condolence to his Oblate Family and the Ante Family.”

Imelda Paraja posted – In behalf of the Management
and Staff of Radio Station DXMM we would like to extend our deepest condolences
to the OMI community for the untimely death of Fr Jose Ante, who passed away
this morning.... Condolence...”

Rikki D. Climaco of NDBC-Manila saidand He is now in a better place than us. With all
his evangelization work on earth. It is certain that he is reaping his rewards
and enjoying God's presence.”

Ernesto Garilao portedand He loved and served Sulu, despite the
challenges and dangers. He served as a witness to the Faith. This I remember.
Rest in the embrace of the Lord Fr Joe.”

Jhanz Abrenica Baco also postedand My former Boss,
mentor, Father and friend during my college days. Your teaching will always be
remembered Fr. Jose Ante especially your concise but heart warming homilies.
Thank you for everything, thank you for serving and touching every Tausug's
life. We will miss you! Rest in peace.” (Scene of the accident photos courtesy of Eduard Salinas) sand//scontent-hkg3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xlf1/v/t1.0-9/12342302_10206680358041909_1508782841738520514_n.jpg?oh=b5bef0737486741c1ee6066b1e7a8822:ampoe=56D68FA2