2 OFWs in Hong Kong found safe after going missing for 12 days
Two Filipino domestic helpers in Hong Kong who were missing for 12 days have been found safe in the city.
The South China Morning Post reported on Thursday, Oct. 16 that Aleli Perez Tibay, 33, and Imee Mahilum Pabuaya, 24, were found safe and well in the neighborhood of Sha Tin. They were previously seen in Lei Muk Shue Estate in the town of Tsuen Wan on Oct. 8, and on the Lung Mun Country Trail in the Yeung Uk Road area on Oct. 4.
Both women are domestic workers for separate homes. Pabuaya worked in Happy Valley; Tibay in Cheung Sha Wan. They were reported missing when they failed to return to work.
Since Pabuaya went missing on Oct. 4, her older sister Irene had been regularly posting updates about the search on Facebook. On Oct. 10, she wrote, "Imee’s story has now reached Hong Kong news outlets, but we’re still searching for answers. It’s been 6 heartbreaking days since she went missing. We’re holding onto hope that the truth will come out, and that someone out there knows something that can help bring Imee home. If you have any information, please reach out immediately. Every moment matters."
She also posted in the Hikers of Hong Kong Facebook page with an appeal for help finding her sister. She said the last time she heard from her sister was when the pair was in the mountains in the midst of a storm.
On Oct. 10, Hong Kong news outlets released a public appeal for help in locating the two women. They were also added to a watch list to monitor potential departures from the city.
In response to a query from SCMP at the time, the Philippine Consulate General in Hong Kong said there was a possibility that they were still in the city and "the hope that the ongoing search efforts would soon succeed."
On Thursday, Oct. 16, the consulate maintained the women had not left HK.
According to Irene, her sister arrived there only in December, and it was her first time traveling abroad.
Hans Leo J. Cacdac, secretary of the Department of Migrant Workers, has also released a statement on X: "The two missing OFWs in Hong Kong have been found and taken to the MWO-OWWA office in HK. They were picked up from a police station and are safe and sound, and will be repatriated soon."
As of writing, the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Philippine Consulate General in Hong Kong have not issued a statement regarding the OFWs being found.
