A KEY witness in the maltreatment case of house help Elvie Vergara was allegedly attacked while he was inside the house of his new employer in Paluan, Occidental Mindoro on Tuesday night, senators learned yesterday.
Sen. Francis Tolentino said he received a report from the local police that two armed men barged inside the house in Sitio Apnikan, Barangay Tubili, in Paluan town at around 9 p.m. and twice fired a gun aimed at the floor “that prompted the victim to run away.”
“Dodong,” not his real name, was unharmed.
During police interrogation, Dodong supposedly described the gunman to be 5’10” tall, of medium built, and wearing a black ski mask, black jacket, and black pants and shoes.
Upon learning of the incident, Tolentino said he requested the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) in Occidental Mindoro to place Dodong under its protective custody.
Tolentino also said he was informed that armed men likewise went to the house of Vergara in Batangas City on Wednesday morning, apparently to scare her from pursuing the cases that she filed against her former employers.
Tolentino, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Justice and Human Rights which is currently investigating the Vergara maltreatment case, condemned the “attempted murder” on Dodong, and the visit of armed men to Vergara’s house.
Sen. Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada, in a privilege speech delivered Wednesday afternoon, said the attempt on the life of Dodong is alarming.
Dodong is a witness against Vergara’s former employers France and Pablo Ruiz in Mamburao, Occidental Mindoro. He was also formerly employed by the Ruiz couple who are now facing charges of serious physical injuries, illegal detention, violation of RA 10361 or the Batas Kasambahay (Househelp Law) before the Office of the City Prosecutor in Batangas City.
Estrada said armed men were already sighted roaming the vicinity of Dodong’s house before the incident on Tuesday night.
He said the attack on Dodong occurred even as policemen and soldiers were already posted at the vicinity of the victim’s present residence.
“Mr. President, I don’t want to point an accusing finger at anyone at this point, but one cannot help but wonder about these bold and brazen acts against these defenseless individuals. I believe it is necessary to provide additional security to Dodong, Dodong’s employers and even to (other witnesses) aliases JM and Patrick if they ultimately agree to testify before the Committee on Justice and Human Rights,” Estrada said.
