New information on Filipino national Lyka Bernas, who has been missing for three months, suggests that she may still be alive and in the country.
At a virtual press conference on Friday, Honorary Consul of the Republic of the Philippines in Trinidad Dr Noe Espinosa Jaen said the police found a vaccination card in Bernas’ name with a Manzanilla address.
However, he said, further inquires revealed the address was fake. But they know that she has not left the country through legal ports.
He said the police tried to question Bernas’ friends but this was not successful.
He said he was in contact with the police inspector in charge of the case and had been assured that the investigation was still active and they were trying their best to find her.
While Bernas’ disappearance has been made national news in the Philippines, he said this had not caused any bad relations between T&T and the Philippines.
He said as soon as they heard she was missing, he got in contact the police and Immigration Division.
“I am sure she is still here in Trinidad and hopefully she is alive and I don’t know for what reason why she is hiding,” said Jaen.
A $20,000 reward was posted for any information leading to Bernas’ whereabouts, but there have been no substantial leads on her whereabouts.
Police sources at the Belmont Police Station told Guardian Media that they seemed to have hit a “dead end.”
However, they assured that they were still searching for her.
Earlier this year, Bernas’ aunt, Amelia Bernas Salvador, told Guardian Media of the hopelessness the family had felt since her disappearance last December.
Bernas, 29, came to the country just over three years ago and was last employed as a nanny.
Bernas, of Jerningham Avenue, Belmont, was last seen on December 10, 2021 and was reported missing on December 13, 2021.
She is slim built and brown in complexion with long black hair. She was last seen wearing a grey jersey and a pair of short pants.
She also has a tattoo of an arrow on the left side of her torso.
Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Bernas is asked to call the Belmont Police Station at 621-2515, or 999, 555, CRIME STOPPERS at 800-TIPS or report via the TTPS’ App.