A distressing situation has unfolded for a Filipino family after their missing relative was unexpectedly located in an Abu Dhabi medical facility. Andres Andaya Balane, a 52-year-old oxygen welder who had resided in the UAE for seven years, vanished on Christmas Day and was subsequently discovered approximately ten days later in a hospital’s surgical intensive care unit.
The breakthrough emerged when concerned Filipino expatriates in Abu Dhabi recognized Balane from missing-person posters circulating on social media platforms. These compassionate compatriots alerted his daughter, Ezra Nhiez Balane, who resides in the Philippines’ Guimaras province with her mother and younger sister.
Medical authorities have placed Balane on ventilator support following respiratory complications and surgical intervention. He remains unconscious, with hospital officials indicating that immediate family presence is critically required. The circumstances surrounding his hospitalization and the precise timeline between his disappearance and admission remain unclear.
The family’s last communication occurred on December 25th at 7:30 AM, when Balane, residing in bachelor accommodations, informed them of his plans to attend Christmas church services. His daughter Ezra has initiated contact with Abu Dhabi Police and attempted to reach her father’s employer, an engineering firm based in Mussafah Seaport. While a coworker has reportedly notified the company, official response remains pending.
A relative residing in Dubai is preparing to visit the hospital to assess Balane’s condition and gather additional information. Meanwhile, the family in the Philippines has formally registered their case with the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), anticipating further guidance imminently.
The situation presents significant practical challenges as none of Balane’s immediate family members possess passports, compounded by severe financial constraints that prevent international travel. Ezra has expressed intentions to begin passport application procedures while simultaneously seeking assistance from UAE diplomatic missions.
Balane’s wife, who operates a salon in the Philippines, maintains emotional resilience for their two daughters while navigating bureaucratic channels. The family retains minimal photographic memories, with their most recent family portrait dating back twelve years.