CHIEF diplomat Teodoro Locsin Jr. yesterday recalled the country’s ambassador to Brazil as the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) opens its inquiry into her alleged maltreatment of her household staff, a fellow Filipino overseas worker.
In a Twitter post, Locsin said the recall of the envoy was “effective immediately.” He neither identified the house help nor did he provide details of the incident.
The country’s last ambassador to Brazil was Marichu Mauro, who was appointed to her post in 2018.
During her incumbency, Mauro also served as the country’s diplomat to Colombia, Venezuela, Guyana and Suriname.
A career diplomat, Mauro joined the DFA in 1995 and served postings in Manama, Bahrain; in Tel Aviv, Israel; and Brussels, Belgium.
In 2014, she also served as the consul general in Milan, Italy where she oversaw the needs and welfare of the 150,000 Filipinos in Milan and Northern Italy.
In a statement issued late Monday afternoon, the DFA said the ambassador was recalled “following the release of video footages showing her berating and maltreating her household staff.”
The DFA said the household staff has already left Brasilia on October 21 and is now living in Manila.
“The DFA is reaching out to her to ensure her well being and cooperation in the investigation. THE DFA assures the public that a thorough investigation will be conducted,” the DFA added.
Brazilian news outlet GloboNews reported that it was able to obtain footages where the envoy was physically abusing her househelp at least four times.
GloboNews said the incidents took place inside Mauro’s diplomatic residence.
