Kin of missing Pinoys, Fil-Ams in Maui wildfires still hoping for the best

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Romeo Salvador flew from Los Angeles to Maui, Hawaii to search for his children's mother, Glenda Yabes, who was reported missing in Lahaina amid the wildfires that hit the area.

Aside from Glenda, eight other relatives are missing, Salvador said.

He identified them as Angelica Baclig, Joel Villegas, Adela Villegas, Junmark Quijano, Felimon Quijano, Luz Bernabe, Lydia Coloma, and Salvador Coloma.

Salvador said they have received updates from authorities and do not know if the missing individuals' homes have been searched.

Many Filipinos and Filipino-Americans felt dismayed by the initial statement of the Department of Foreign Affairs that no Filipinos were missing in the tragedy. Romeo expressed his frustration, saying, "That's infuriating, especially for me since we haven't found the mother of my four children. So, I'm more than just slightly upset. It really hurts me hearing those things."

According to Romeo, the family of his children's mother is among those with the most missing members in Lahaina.

They have already contacted the Philippine Consulate in Hawaii and have submitted the names of the missing individuals to the authorities in Lahaina. Their children in Los Angeles are preparing to provide DNA samples for matching with recovered bodies.

Romeo emotionally appealed, "I hope... I hope that if anyone sees them, all the names of the three families, including my girlfriend's name, are posted everywhere—in buildings and all over the Lahaina area. We've posted them there, and if someone sees them, please call the police station or whoever they can call from a government agency, so that at least they can help find our missing relatives.”

The Federal Bureau of Investigation Honolulu Division is collaborating with the Maui Police Department to aid in finding and identifying individuals who are missing or potentially affected by wildfires in Lahaina, Hawaii. The focus of their efforts involves gathering DNA samples from family members to assist in these endeavors.

Both the FBI, MPD, and the Maui Emergency Management Agency are urging immediate family members of individuals who are still unaccounted for to contribute DNA samples to support these efforts.

For immediate family members located on the Island of Maui, they are requested to visit the Hyatt Regency Kaanapali between 10:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. starting from Friday, August 18, to provide their DNA samples.

If immediate family members are located on neighboring islands or the mainland, they are advised to call the FBI at (808) 566-4300 or email them at HN-COMMAND-POST@ic.fbi.gov, providing their contact information. The FBI will subsequently provide instructions on how to submit DNA samples.

The wildfires which started August 8 destroyed much of the historic resort town of Lahaina on Maui Island in Hawaii.

The Philippine Consulate General in Honolulu earlier said it is receiving a rising number of calls and emails inquiring about the status of Filipinos and Filipino-Americans missing after wildfires.

The Department of Foreign Affairs on Friday said a 79-year-old Filipino was among the over 100 fatalities in the wildfires that struck Maui.

In a Viber message to GMA News Online, DFA Undersecretary Eduardo Jose de Vega said the Filipino was identified as Alfredo Galinato.

With more than 100 fatalities, the fire is one of the deadliest US wildfires in more than a century. As officials work to identify the deceased, stories about those who perished have emerged from loved ones. —KG, GMA Integrated News