An evacuee staying at the evacuation center at MMDA Village in Taysan, Legazpi City claimed to have seen US Peace Corps volunteer Julia Campbell last Sunday, April 15 despite reports on Campbell’s disappearance since April 8.
Shiela Lanon personally went to Albay PNP Headquarters at 1:05 PM on Wednesday, April 18 to report that she saw Campbell at the evacuation center in Taysan.
Lanon and others occupying the evacuation center in Taysan are mostly residents of Padang where Campbell relentlessly toiled to help calamity victims recover from their tragic state.
Lanon stressed that she saw Campbell alive on Sunday and refused to believe that she’s dead even after watching reports on Campbell’s death.
Puzzled by the report, PO2 Nathaniel Jacob was sent to ask people at Divine Word College of Legazpi about the issue just to check on the story. Emma Napay and Imelda Siapno of DWCL exclaimed, “Sana totoo nga na si Julia yun!” (We want to think that it was indeed Julia!) It turned out however, that reports about Campbell’s death were true.
Police said they couldn’t explain the claim made by Lanon about seeing Campbell alive on Sunday but empathized with the woman who must have been one of those people touched by Campbell and who must really miss their angel.
