BY ROY C. MABASA
The family of missing overseas Filipino worker (OFW) Mary Anne Daynolo on Friday stepped up their appeal to the Philippine government to help them locate their kin who was last seen over nine months ago at her workplace in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
“Please help us find Anne,” the family posted on social media as they aim to gather public support that could lead to information on the whereabouts of the 30-year-old OFW from Pasig City.
Mary Anne was last seen at around 10:30 pm on March 4 at the St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort, a five-star hotel in Abu Dhabi where she works as a receptionist.
Two days after her disappearance, Mary Anne’s family, through one of the siblings who is also based in UAE, reported the matter to the Mussafah Police Station in Abu Dhabi.
To date, the case is still pending with the Criminal Investigation Division of the UAE police, according to the family.
Between March and August 2020, the Daynolo family has made several attempts to seek the help of the Philippine Embassy in Abu Dhabi, Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO)-Abu Dhabi, Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, Philippine Overseas Employment Administration, and the DFA-Office of the Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs (OUMWA).
On March 17 and 18, the family contacted the Philippine Embassy and POLO office in Abu Dhabi to inform them about the case and provided them with the case number and other pertinent details.
“They told us they will go to the police to ask for updates, and they will contact us back,” the family wrote in a timeline.
In April and July 2020, the family sent the Philippine Embassy two separate letters through email, to follow up on any possible update about the case.
It was only in late July when the Embassy reportedly instructed them to just wait for an update coming from the UAE police.
“The entire family is deeply worried about her safety and condition. We are appealing for all your help to reach the authorities and everyone who has the power to help Anne in any way possible,” the Daynolo family said.
With the help of friends, the Daynolos created Facebook account “Finding Missing OFW in Abu Dhabi: Mary Anne Daynolo,” and the website “missingmaryanne.com” to generate public support in locating their missing kin.
Mary Anne left the Philippines in February 2018 and has not gone back since then.
The family said she was supposed to return for vacation last July to avail of the free air ticket being provided by employers every two years of length of service.
