Victorio Santiago hasn't contacted his family since his disappearance July 12. Crimestoppers photo • Honolulu Police Department

Ariel Santiago, a Navy sailor based in Sasebo, Japan, and brother Gilberto Santiago of Kihei, Maui, flew into Honolulu this week to talk with Navy and police investigators on the case. Yesterday they went public with a plea for information from anyone who might have seen Victorio Santiago, 37, and his two sons, Neal, 11, and Daniel, 7.

Ariel Santiago said he last spoke to his brother July 9.

"It was a very common conversation ­ 'How are you, I'm fine,'" he said. "There was nothing unusual. I was really surprised when this happened."

Gilberto Santiago said it's not unusual for Victorio Santiago to keep personal troubles to himself.

"We're a close family, and we hear each other's happiness," he said. "But with respect to any problem in personal life, we don't really share that well. Especially Victorio: He doesn't share that with anyone."

Gilberto Santiago said he'd hoped that Victorio would head for Bremerton, Wash., where he owns a house, but his brother added that they haven't turned up on manifests for flights out of Honolulu.

Neal Santiago, 11, disappeared with his father and brother. Crimestoppers photo • Honolulu Police Department

Phil Camero, an investigator with the Honolulu Police Department's missing persons detail, said someone in Wahiawa reported seeing the Santiagos in the early days following the disappearance, but those people turned out to be look-alikes. Other sightings in Wailuku and Kahului proved unfounded, Camero said.

The family is concerned of injury to Santiago and the boys, he said. But police also have suspected that the disappearance stems from a custodial dispute involving the children. If Santiago is hiding out somewhere, Camero added, perhaps he'll have a change of heart.

"We're hoping that perhaps Victorio might see this news release of his brothers making this plea," he said.

The Santiagos were last seen leaving their Pearl Harbor home shortly before 1 a.m. July 12. Santiago was driving a rented, light-green, four-door 2000 Daewoo Leganza with the license plate JGS-405.

Victorio Santiago is 5 feet 8 and 150 pounds; Neal is 4 feet 6 inch and 83 pounds; Daniel is 4 feet 3 and 65 pounds. All three have black hair and brown eyes.

Police believe the disappearance of Daniel Santiago, 7, may be part of a custodial dispute. Crimestoppers photo • Honolulu Police Department

Anyone with information is asked to call the Honolulu Police Department missing persons detail, 529-3394, or file an anonymous report with CrimeStoppers at 955-8300 or *CRIME on a cellular phone.

Reach Vicki Viotti at vviotti@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8053.