Filipino American Community in Virginia Bands Together to Find Missing Mom

People close to Gamboa gathered around the Philippine Cultural Center on Saturday afternoon to increase the search effort for the missing mother by handing out fliers to passersby.

Jeremy Gatbonton, her longtime friend, organized and led the search group.

“Thankfully there’s a big group of people that came out today. We are trying to do some organizing of search parties to help find Bell and get her back to her kids. We just drew a Google map from where her apartment is to where her car was found and from that we kind of grid out search areas,” he said, according to 13News Now.

Beverly Gatbonton, a family friend, also set up the Facebook page “BringBellamyHome” to help the group’s search effort.

“We will be showing updates later on the next search. We just wanted to have one location where we update everyone with the latest news. This one is a page that everyone can go to, to figure out how they can help,” Gatbonton said.

Gamboa, who was supposed to turn 40 on July 16, was last seen on July 1 around 8:30 p.m. in the 2100 block of Carrene Drive in Norfolk, Virginia. Her sister Charisse Gamboa, who flew from California on Saturday morning, said that Bellamy’s disappearance was suspicious.

“My sister would never leave her children, she does love life, she loves her family. She would never leave her children so we know there’s something suspicious,” she said.

Gamboa’s 2015 Ford Focus was later found parked next to a dumpster in Virginia Beach on July 3. Her vehicle was discovered about 4 miles away from where she was last seen, according to the police who believe that she may “have been abducted and in danger,” ABC11 reported.

“What’s going through my mind right now is where is Bellamy and hopefully we will find her. Seven is our lucky number and it’s her birthday month,” Charisse said.

She also joined the search in Virginia Beach where Bellamy’s car was found.

Gamboa’s family and friends received help with their search on Monday when comedian Marlon Wayans and rapper Pusha T shared the missing person post online.

Gamboa is described as “an Asian female with brown eyes and black hair. She is 5’1 and weighs 135 lbs. She has a tattoo of a band of roses on her right arm, and “BELLAMY” tattooed on her right ankle.”

Anyone who may have information on her whereabouts or any leads can call 911 or contact the Virginia Beach Police Department at (757) 385-8175.

Featured Image via Instagram / muah_mybella