A family in the Philippines is appealing for help in locating their missing loved one, an Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) in Dubai, who has been out of contact since December 25, 2024.
In a social media post originally written in Ilocano, Jen Magat shared that her sister, Gemma Magat Castillo, has not been heard from since Christmas Day. “If anyone has seen or knows the whereabouts of my younger sibling in Dubai, please message me. We have lost contact with them since the 25th. All possible numbers we can use to reach them are not working,” she wrote.
Jen explained that Gemma, who works as a stay-in domestic worker in at a villa in Al Manara, Dubai, left her employer’s house in the morning of December 25 and never returned.
“It was said that they left in the morning of the 25th and never returned home. We are asking for help, especially from their friends and relatives who are working in Dubai. To my younger sibling, please show up soon. We are constantly looking for you and are very worried about you. Please share this, as someone might have seen or know something about them,” the post continued.
In an interview with The Global Filipino Magazine, Jen revealed that her sister’s last message was a brief Christmas greeting. “Tapos last msg lng nung 25, nag greet lng ng ‘Merry Christmas,’” she recounted.
Gemma, who shares her workplace with another Filipina domestic worker, reportedly informed her colleague that she would be stepping out that morning. However, she did not return, leaving both her family and fellow worker baffled.
“Nag msg sya at nagsabi na lalabas ng umaga ng 25, tapos di na nakabalik,” Jen added.
The situation is further complicated as Gemma’s employers are currently out of the country, making it difficult to piece together additional details. When Gemma left, her colleague was not at home and is uncertain about what she was wearing.
The family has already contacted Gemma’s friends in Dubai, but they too are unaware of her whereabouts. A missing person report has since been filed with the local authorities in Dubai, and the family is anxiously awaiting updates.
“We are worried sick about her. We just want to know that she’s safe,” she shared.
The Magat family is calling on the Filipino community in Dubai to share any information that could help locate Gemma.
