Ica’s dad asks for understanding as family appeals for privacy

 The father of the 17-year-old teenager who went missing for three days has asked for understanding amid the family’s request for privacy as his daughter refused to narrate how she went missing.

In a press conference on Sunday, Patricia “Ica” Policaripio’s father, Atty. Rufino, said they received a phone call Sunday morning from a barangay in San Pablo City, Laguna, informing them of Ica’s whereabouts.

“Ang kuwento nila, may nakakita kay Ica na nakaupo sa isang carinderia at para syang umiiyak o malungkot. Dahil dun tinawag yung isang barangay council woman, at syang lumapit at nag-imbita na pumunta sa bahay nya at dun namin sya sinundo,” Rufino told reporters.

“Ipagpaumanhin nyo po, hindi pa namin siya nakausap. We respect her privacy, we respect her state, her psychological condition. Masaya kami na nakasama namin siya. Pero ang totoo, hindi pa namin siya nakausap ng masinsinan. Humihingi po kami ng konting pang-unawa at pasensya sa madla. In due time, we will find out the truth,” he added.

Ica was last seen at a coffee shop in a mall on East Service Road in Sucat, Muntinlupa City at 10:53 p.m. last Thursday before she went missing.

Meanwhile, National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) chief Director Oscar Albayalde said they are looking into the possibility that someone urged Ica to leave.

“We will continue on with our investigation. As of this time based on our investigation at dun sa pangyayari walang indication (ng kidnapping). Ang tinitignan natin dito ay kung may nag-udyok dito sa bata na maglayas o magpunta dito,” Albayalde said.

“Wala ring hininging ransom. So far, walang indication of any kidnapping,” he added.

READ: Albayalde on Ica’s case: ‘No indications’ of kidnapping yet

Asked how Ica managed to go to Laguna, her father answered: “Hindi pa nya nabanggit talaga sa amin.”

According to Rufino, although he scolded her daughter a day before she went missing, he doubts that this was the reason she left.

“Mahirap sabihin eh, hindi ko sya nakausap nung araw na yun. Kung meron man syang dinaramdam sa akin, hindi ko na ma-sense. I was really surprised by it,” Rufino said.

“A day before, napagsabihan ko rin sya about something pero alam ko na-settle namin yun eh kaya I know that’s not an issue,” he added.

If anything, this event has taught Ica’s father to “listen to and care for his children even more.”

“Let us give more time and more concern for our children because sometimes ‘di natin alam ang nangyayari o mangyayari sa kanila. So pag-iingat at mas matinding pag-unawa at pag-intindi sa ating mga anak,” Rufino said when asked about what he learned from the incident.

“Siguro on a personal note, pakikinig, listening sa ating mga anak. Please care for your children by listening to them,” he added.

Rufino also expressed gratitude to authorities, friends, families, and the netizens who helped them find Ica.

“It’s the best Christmas gift… Hinding hindi namin makakalimutan na we came together as a community,” he said.   /kga