The Quezon City Police District (QCPD) has identified Mark Arjay Reyes, the fiancé of missing bride-to-be Sara “Sherra” De Juan, as a person of interest (POI) as authorities intensify their investigation into her disappearance.
De Juan, a 30-year-old bookkeeper, was reported missing about a week ago after she allegedly left home to buy shoes for her upcoming wedding. Her disappearance quickly gained public attention, prompting QCPD to form a special investigation team.
In a statement sent via Viber to INQUIRER.net on Wednesday, December 17, QCPD clarified why Reyes was tagged as a person of interest.
“Yes, he is a POI, but that does not necessarily mean he is a suspect. Mark was the last person with her and is her fiancé, so he is considered a POI,” the QCPD said.
According to police, Reyes underwent nearly seven hours of questioning as part of the investigation.
QCPD acting district director PCol. Randy Glenn Silvio confirmed that Reyes, a 31-year-old IT engineer, remains cooperative and is not considered a suspect at this stage.
“Hangga’t maaari sabihin niya yung puno’t dulo, I think siya ang makakapagbigay ng magandang statement bakit talaga umalis si Ms. Sherra. So far sabi niya wala naman silang pinag awayan recently,” Silvio said.
Reyes, for his part, said he did not take offense at being named a person of interest and expressed his willingness to cooperate.
“Okay lang po sa akin. Basta gumulong ang imbestigasyon at masiguro yung agarang paghahanap po kay Mahal,” Reyes said in a message sent to ABS-CBN News.
Authorities have also questioned De Juan’s brother, Darie, her best friend, and her manager at work. Reyes’ manager has likewise been summoned as police work to establish the backgrounds and recent activities of both the missing woman and her fiancé.
“Nagbabackground po tayo kung ano yung nangyayari sa trabaho,” Silvio added.
Investigators are also verifying Reyes’ claim that he was at work at the time De Juan went missing. Results from the forensic examination of De Juan’s laptop and cellphone by the PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group are expected, as these may reveal her last communications before she disappeared.
“Napakaimportante kasi makikita natin doon kung sino yung last na conversation niya para makita natin, tatanungin natin,” Silvio said.
Police are also attempting to locate the driver and conductor of a modern jeepney that De Juan may have boarded. New CCTV footage obtained from a gas station along Commonwealth Avenue corner Atherton Street in Fairview shows a woman wearing clothing similar to De Juan’s—black jeans and a black jacket—boarding a modern jeepney around 1:37 p.m. However, her identity could not be confirmed due to the camera’s distance.
“Nandoon na yung tropa natin, hinahanap ‘yung drayber and conductor para mainterview, maipakita kung talaga bang sumakay kasi medyo malayo po yung kuha noon,” Silvio said.
The search has since been expanded to other areas, including Romblon, De Juan’s home province. The QCPD has also sought assistance from the Philippine National Police Aviation Security Group to determine whether she passed through any airport.
Meanwhile, the reward for information leading to De Juan’s whereabouts has increased to ₱150,000, following additional donations on top of the initial ₱20,000 reward offered by Reyes.
Authorities continue to appeal to the public for any information that may help locate De Juan as the investigation remains ongoing.
