Sixty-one-year-old Panoama Va Felafoaina from Luatuanu’u has not given up hope on finding her son alive as the search enters its fourth day. 

Va Tua, 40, went missing on Thursday after a swimming incident, which has left one dead and another fighting for his life at the Tupua Tamasese Meaole Hospital.

“My son is like my favorite pillow I always take with me because he never leaves my side. When he was here, it never bothered me if he doesn’t do any chores in and around our house, as long as he is always beside me,” she said, as she fought back tears when talking about him. 

The Ministry of Police has been coordinating a search and rescue operation around the waters of Luatuanu’u, with the villagers also joining in the search since the disappearance of the three men last Thursday. 

Mrs. Felafoaina said her son was not only her favourite but a devoted churchgoer despite his shortcomings.

“I always drag my children to church as a parent would always do, especially Va because he is always lazy, which is more of the reasons why I miss him so much and want him to come back home already. 

“My son is now in his 40s but I still consider him my baby because not only he has always been on my side, but he always finds a way to make up for his wrong-doings, whenever he has done something wrong. I would always wait for him when he’s away with his friends,” she added. 

Having gone through this experience with the loss of her son, Mrs. Felafoaina cautioned the public to be mindful of curfew hours, which ensured there was time for family evening services and guarded against mishaps involving family members.