DECEMBER 24, 2025 — The Quezon City Police District (QCPD) has admitted that gaps in the statements of Mark Arjay Reyes, fiancé of missing bride-to-be Sherra De Juan, have complicated the probe into her sudden disappearance just days before their wedding.

QCPD Director Col. Randy Glenn Silvio revealed that crucial details only surfaced after investigators examined De Juan’s cellphone, where message exchanges contradicted earlier claims by Reyes.

“Si Mark talaga ay … medyo ’pag ininterview mo, nagpa-process muna siya bago niya sasabihin ’yong sagot niya. So, sana kung noong umpisa pa, mabilis siyang nagre-report o nire-report lahat ng pangyayari, madali tayong nakapag-deploy o na-assess natin ’yong situation kung saan tayo magsisimula, kung saan ’yong ipa-follow-up natin, kung sino ’yong dapat nating kausapin,” Silvio said. 

(Mark tends to process first before answering. If only he had reported everything right away, we could have deployed faster, assessed the situation earlier, and known where to start and who to follow up with.)

Among the retrieved messages were candid admissions from Reyes about financial strain. 

On October 30, he told De Juan: “Kung may arep lang Ako di na ko magpapaalam Sayo e Derecho alis na Lang e.” 

(If I only had money, I wouldn’t even ask permission from you, I’d just leave straight away.)

“Stressed out din AKo Kasi Wala Akong ka arep arep,” he added.

(I’m stressed too because I don’t have any money at all.)

“Kung may arep lang talaga ko. Walang paalam paalam na magaganap,” he stressed.

(If I really had money, there would be no asking permission.)

The couple also quarreled over wedding expenses, with Reyes conceding: “Wala din naman mie nadagdag sa wedding funds. Kasalanan ko den.” 

(I wasn’t able to add anything to the wedding funds. It’s my fault too.)

Police said these exchanges contradicted Reyes’ earlier assertion that they had no personal or financial issues. Investigators also noted De Juan’s online searches for certain drugs, which Silvio said were linked to emotional distress rather than acidity, as Reyes had suggested.

Despite being tagged as a person of interest, Reyes insisted he wants authorities to widen the scope of the investigation. 

“Sige po, tatanggapin na namin na possible po na nagkaroon nga po ng financial stress or emotional stress po ’yong girlfriend ko, ’yong fiancé ko. Ang gusto lang talaga namin malaman po kung ano po ’yong susunod na steps para makita po siya,” he said. 

(We accept that it’s possible my fiancée experienced financial or emotional stress. What we really want to know is the next steps to find her.)

De Juan vanished on December 10 after leaving home to buy shoes for their December 14 wedding. She left her phone charging at home. 

Silvio said QCPD has expanded its operations, deploying intelligence teams, verifying leads, and coordinating with other law enforcement agencies. 

“Rest assured po na wala po tayong dinadagdag o binabawas dito sa ating pag-iimbestiga. Nagbe-base po tayo sa evidence at hand at saka ’yong mga na-acquire natin na mga testimonies ng mga kaibigan at malapit sa kanya,” he stressed. 

(Rest assured we are not adding or subtracting anything in this investigation. We base everything on evidence and testimonies from her friends and close contacts.)

The case has sparked widespread attention, with many throwing in their two cents on how financial strain and emotional stress could play into such a life-altering disappearance. Some are even questioning Reyes’ truthfulness amid all the developments, especially since recent discoveries paint him in a much different light than what he apparently wants to portray in the media. 

Silvio acknowledged the public’s concern. 

“Kailangan ituloy namin kasi po kailangan din naming matulungan ’yong pamilya at naging sensational na po siya. Kung hindi gagalaw ang ating kapulisan, baka naman ma-criticize … at nag-report siya sa ating kapulisan, kailangan nating i-extend ang ating best services para po mahanap at tuloy-tuloy ’yong imbestiga.” 

(We must continue because we need to help the family, and this has become sensational. If the police don’t act, we may be criticized. Since they reported to us, we must extend our best services to find her and continue the investigation.)

(Larawan: Mark Arjay Reyes | Facebook)