SAN DIEGO -- A Point Loma father is asking for the public's help in locating his missing boys. It's a case that is getting national and now international attention.

John Smith said he and his wife, Francina Fernandez, had a whirlwind romance. Their first child was born right away -- followed not long after by twins. But a failing marriage and a culture clash have turned the kidnapping into an international incident.

In Smith's living room, bedroom and kitchen, there are the smiling faces of Keoni, Lance and Mason.

"These were some of the first pictures," said Smith.

Smith hasn't taken a picture with his boys for 15 months.

"My boys left with their mother. She abducted them (and) fled the country November 8, 2004," said Smith.

Fernandez bought four nonstop, one-way tickets to the Philippines. Smith said their tumultuous, expensive custody battle was leaning his way.

"It's just gut-wrenching wondering what they're thinking, 'Where did Daddy go?' They are the victims of this crime," said Smith.

That's the problem: In the Philippines, kidnapping your own child is not a crime. But it certainly is in the United States.

"We have actually filed an international parental kidnapping warrent for her arrest," said Jan Caldwell, with the FBI.

Now an international ordeal, the FBI and Sen. Dianne Feinstein are pressuring the Philippine government to send Fernandez and the boys home.

"We're only trying to get her to return to the United States. She needs to face the charges. She needs to face the consequences of her actions, but the family unit can stay together," said Caldwell.

Until that day, all Smith can do is wait with the boys' pictures, artwork and handprints.

The question is, will he ever hold those hands again?

"Absolutely, I think now that this is getting national exposure, I think we're going to expose the fact that the Philippine government likes to protect child abductors," said Smith.

Right now, the FBI's hands are tied, but the agency is offering a reward for any information that might lead to the return of Fernandez and the boys.