Relatives still hopeful missing Pinay in US is alive

MANILA, Philippines - The kin of the missing Filipino woman presumed to have drowned after she was swept away by waves along the Oregon Coast in the United States on Saturday afternoon said she still hopes to find her sister. “I just want to know if my younger sister is alive," Nova Alforque told online news website Oregon Live. The report on Wednesday said that 22-year old Leafil Alforque came to Oregon to marry her 45-year old American boyfriend, Scott Napper, on December 6. The couple met through an Internet dating site in 2005. However, while they were walking in shallow surf along the coast on Saturday, Leafil was knocked off her feet by a big wave toward the Proposal Rock near Neskowin Beach. Oregon Live reported that the coast guard, local agencies, and the Tillamook County Sheriff’s Office started a search and rescue operation after receiving a 911 call at around 3:35 pm regarding the incident. But dangerous water conditions made rescue efforts difficult. Thus, rescue operations were suspended until Monday, the day that Nova learned of the tragedy from her sister’s fiancé. She was then shortly contacted by the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs. “She’s missing five days now. My mother is always crying, day and night. She wants my sister back. Even if she is dead, she wants to bury her body," said Nova. Meanwhile, Sheriff Todd Anderson said they are routinely checking the beach and looking for possible witnesses. He added that the police do not suspect any foul play.- Kimberly Jane T. Tan, GMANews.TV