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After three months of fears and uncertainty, Minerva Balisong returned to the UK earlier this week with her 17-year-old son, David Balisong, whose disappearance had sparked a frantic search in Malaysia
The pair boarded a 7pm flight from KLIA to Manchester on Tuesday, 10 September, following an exhausting process to resolve David's expired 90-day visa, which lapsed on 4 September — the very day he was found.
The overstay required fresh documentation, which Minerva said kept her at the Immigration office "the whole of Monday" before clearance was granted.
Speaking before their departure, Minerva, 50, described her joy and relief as immeasurable.
"Finally, after almost three months of searching in fear and hope, I found my son alive. I am forever grateful to the Malaysian police, Immigration, Uncle Kentang, and the Filipino community here who stood by me," she wrote in a Facebook post.
She described the reunion as "a miracle I prayed for every single day".
David disappeared on 6 June after leaving his home in Cheadle, Greater Manchester, telling his mother he was going to school
Instead, he boarded a flight to Kuala Lumpur via Dubai.
A few days later, he sent an email to his mother, a critical care nurse, saying he was fine and asking her not to look for him.
UK police later informed Minerva that David, whose full name is David Renz Galletes Balisong, was in Kuala Lumpur, prompting her to fly here and begin her search.
On 4 September, he was spotted at a budget hotel in Jalan Pudu, where he had been staying with three other roommates since 14 July.
According to Kuala Lumpur police chief ACP Datuk Fadil Marsus, David ran away from home following an argument with his family, although Minerva suggested he may have been stressed about his upcoming A-Level exams.
Selangor police chief Shazeli Kahar said that the case is now considered closed
"The (police) investigation found no criminal or misconduct elements in this case. The teenager was handed over to his mother after the police completed their investigation," he was quoted as saying.
Meanwhile, Uncle Kentang, whose real name is Chee Heng Kuan, shared a final update on Facebook, confirming that David and his mother had safely landed in Manchester
Kuan thanked everyone who assisted in the search, adding that Minerva had personally messaged him to extend her gratitude.
The social activist has been instrumental in finding David.
