MANILA -- The mother of the student who went missing after attending an "immersion with farmers" in Quezon province last December, contradicted the statement of her husband, saying they have not yet seen their daughter.
Through an interview with The Varsitarian, the official publication of the University of Santo Tomas, Luisa Camingawan said Rizza Divine has yet to come home since she left last December 19 last year to celebrate Christmas and New Year with farmers in Quezon.
Just on Wednesday, Luisa said she was able to talk with Rizza Divine for a short while but she can hear other voices in the background that seem to be dictating to her daughter what to tell her.
"Boses nya yung kausap ko, kaya lang may tumatawa (sa background). Tatlong babae naririnig ko. Kapag may itatanong ako sa kanya, may sumasagot ng isasagot niya (I can recognize her voice but I can hear other people in the background laughing. There were three girls. Every time I ask her something, someone else teaches her what to tell me)," the mother explained.
She said there were times when her daughter would send her a text message but she is not sure now whether it was really Rizza Divine she was talking to.
Luisa added that her daughter left their home on December 19 after asking permission to go to a mall. Both parents then received a Facebook message from their daughter saying that she would join the immersion.
The 18-year-old Legal Management student has since deactivated her social media accounts and reached out to her parents using a different mobile phone number.
Luisa also said her daughter refused to continue her studies and did not enroll this semester, but promised to be back in March.
Last January 17, Rizza asked her for cellphone load.
Now, Luisa is not even certain if her daughter really is in Quezon, as Rizza Divine is mum about her exact location when they spoke on the phone.
In a text message sent to The Varsitarian, Roland Camingawan claimed that his daughter was already with them on Wednesday night.
Without any other visual confirmation of her arrival to the press, the father also pleaded for The Varsitarian story to be taken down.
The Philippine News Agency (PNA) tried to reach out to Roland but to no avail.
On Thursday, the League of Filipino Students (LFS) - UST said immersions or integration programs were part of its orientation and confirmed Rizza Divine's participation.
Luisa will file a report with authorities and UST officials.
“Kung ako lang ang masusunod, gusto ko talaga makuha ‘yong anak ko sa lalong madaling panahon, kasi nanay ako (If I’d have my way, I really want to take my child back at the soonest possible time, because I’m a mom)," she added.
National Youth Commission Chair Roland Gian Cardema earlier called on Sangguniang Kabataan officials to strengthen their influence on the youth and keep their stance against those allied with rebel groups. (With reports from The Varsitarian/PNA)
