Mother, 2 children from Ibaan missing for 4 days, family says

A mother and her two children from Ibaan, Batangas have been missing since July 6, 2024, according to a relative.

Winnie Dimaano, 28, sought assistance regarding the sudden disappearance of her 34-year-old sister, Joy, and the latter’s two children who are both minors.

According to Dimaano, they discovered on the morning of July 7 that her sister and the two minors were gone, taking only a few clothes with them. She expressed concerns about her sister's mental state prior to their departure.

"Tingin po namin ay may pupuntahan or kakatagpuin siya na nakakausap niya na hindi namin alam kung sino, kasi wala siyang nababanggit; hindi niya sinasabi sa amin. Hindi siya mentally stable po eh... takas sila sa bahay. Kakain kami, pagpunta [namin] sa bahay, walang tao," Dimaano said.

Attempts to contact her sister have been unsuccessful, prompting the family to search neighboring barangays and towns since July 7.

The three were last seen in Barangay Bago.

"Huling nakita sa Barangay Bago, naglalakad papuntang bayan. Tapos lipat kami sa kabilang barangay po, may area na putol ‘yung CCTV so hindi nila nakita. Naghanap kami sa bayan... kapatid ko sa Rosario tsaka sa San Jose, wala rin po [nahanap]. Pinost na po ng kapatid ko sa [social media]," Dimaano said.

Dimaano has reported the incident to the police to classify her family members as missing persons.

"Nag-review kami ng CCTV kung saan possible saan huling nakita at it turned out doon sa Barangay Bago ng Ibaan ay nakita nga na ‘yung mag-iina ay naka-impake. So hindi siya ma-a-alleged na nawawala kundi naglayas," PMAJ. Nepthali Solomon, Acting Chief of Ibaan Police Station, said.

"Nag-a-assist pa rin tayo sa pamilya at sa barangay kung saan posible na kanino sumama at kaanak na pumunta," Solomon added.

APPEAL

Dimaano appeals to anyone who may have seen or noticed her family members to inform them of their whereabouts immediately.

"Naka-red na cap po ‘yung kapatid kong babae; naka-t-shirt, black mask, tapos ‘yung pamangkin ko pong babae, naka-white jacket; at ‘yung bata pong lalaki, naka-blue t-shirt at red na jogging pants," Dimaano said.

She also pleaded for her sister to come home.

"Sana umuwi ka na, lahat kami nag-aalala sa bahay. Lahat doon sa atin, magkakapatid, magpi-pinsan, hindi na makatulog talaga kasi hindi namin alam kung nasa maayos na kalagayan siya silang tatlo, lalo ang mga bata," she said.

Anyone with information can contact 0917-132-8876 or Ibaan Philippine National Police (PNP) at 0927-731-3259. —GMA Regional TV