“Everybody is doing their best. We are asking for the general public’s patience and understanding. Everybody is anxious. We are asking for your continued cooperation,” Anicia Q. Tomokane told the Variety yesterday afternoon.
Tomokane continued using a public address system as she and other relatives drove around Talafofo, Capital Hill, As Teo, Kagman, Papago and San Vicente.
She thanked Lt. Gov. Eloy Inos for providing the public address system that was mounted on a pick-up by Indigenous Affairs Office Resident Director Ike Demapan.
Tomokane said their family is also thanking everybody for their prayers and “tremendous support” as the search for the missing girls continues.
During a vigil on Sunday night, Elbert Quitugua, her brother, said he was hoping that no one else would experience what they were experiencing.
There was no word to describe the “nightmare” they were going through, Quitugua said.
Tomokane said the island “is a beautiful community that comes together in times of crisis in so many different ways.”
She dismissed the possibility that the girls ran away, since Maleina brought a PSS E-rate survey form when she left their residence for school on Wednesday morning last week.
Tomokane said the girls “are very obedient and very responsible.”
Crime Stoppers coordinator PO2 Jason Tarkong said the search will continue “until the missing kids are found.”
He added, “We are hoping to see a positive outcome and the safe return of the kids.”
On Thursday, Tarkong said checkpoints were conducted in Kagman, San Vicente, As Teo, Garapan, Middle Road and Dandan.
Yesterday, local and federal authorities, together with volunteers, scoured King Fisher Drive, Lower Navy Hill, Sadog Tasi, Chalan Galaide, Upper Navy Hill, Sadog Tasi and Tanapag.
“Acting Public Safety Commissioner Ramon Mafnas would like to thank the public for their donations and support,” Tarkong said.
Those who want to donate or volunteer may call 287-5505.
For more information, call the Kagman Community Center at 664-9090, 911 or the Crime Stoppers hotline at 2347272.
The intelligence unit is being supervised by Detective Jeff Olopai, while the search and rescue unit is headed by Lt. Jess Mesa. The overall incident commander is Capt. Pete Leon Guerrero.
