Mark Lester Abing returns home with his mother, Annabel, on November 19, 2024. EXPAT MEDIA

In an emotional turn of events, a 20-year-old Filipino reported missing for five days in Dubai was reunited with his family on Tuesday morning (November 19), his mother confirmed in an exclusive interview with Expat Media. Mark Lester Abing, who had gone missing from his family home in Abu Hail on November 14, was discovered near the Bangladesh Consulate in Hor Al Anz. His mother, Annabel Hilo Abing, described the moment of relief and gratitude upon receiving a message from a kind-hearted stranger. “A Filipina named Desyang contacted me on WhatsApp. She sent a photo to confirm if it was my son. Thank God she found him,” Annabel told Expat Media.

Found disheveled but safe

Annabel said Mark Lester looked disheveled but unharmed when he was found. “He told me he had been sleeping in the area for the last few days and relied on food given to him by a nearby cafeteria,” she said. The young man has since undergone a medical checkup and is now safely back with his family. Mark Lester’s disappearance had left his family in anguish. According to Annabel, her son, who has schizophrenia, left their home unnoticed, using a set of keys hanging near his grandmother’s room. He is not allowed to leave the house unsupervised due to his condition, and his mother believes he may have ventured out to buy cigarettes. Annabel’s search for her son began immediately after he went missing. She filed a missing persons report with the police, contacted hospitals, and posted appeals in community groups. However, it wasn’t until her emotional plea on Facebook on Monday (November 18) and subsequent media reports, including Expat Media's viral post, that her story gained widespread attention. “Many people started sharing the post, offering help, and praying for his safety,” she said. It was through these shared posts that Desyang, the good Samaritan, came across the plea. Upon recognizing Mark Lester, she took action, ultimately leading to the heartwarming reunion. Annabel expressed her immense gratitude to everyone who supported her during the harrowing experience. “I want to thank God above all for His goodness and mercy. I am very thankful to everyone who commented, shared, called, joined in the search, and prayed for my son. Thank you very much to all of you,” she said. This isn’t the first time Mark Lester has gone missing. Annabel recalled a similar incident three weeks ago when he disappeared for four days before being found at a nearby cafeteria. Annabel has lived in Dubai in the last 16 years with her family and her four children. She works in sales. The incident highlights the importance of community and vigilance, particularly in cases involving vulnerable individuals. Annabel hopes that her story will inspire others to reach out and help those in need. Authorities have reiterated the importance of reporting missing persons immediately and have encouraged families to keep communication lines open. For Mark Lester and his family, the ordeal has ended in relief, thanks to the power of community and people’s willingness to help. PIA/Expat Media
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