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Tolentino condemns attack vs witness in household helper's abuse

Philippines | National

Tolentino condemns attack vs witness in household helper's abuse

By Dhel Nazario

Sen. Francis Tolentino condemned the recent shooting incident involving a would-be witness in the abuse of household helper Elvira Vergara.

Elvira Vergara (Ali Vicoy/Manila Bulletin)

In a statement on Wednesday, Sept. 13 Tolentino said that "Dodong" will testify as a witness in the Senate Committee on Justice and Human Rights investigation regarding the abuse that Vergara suffered under her former employers Pablo and France Ruiz.

According to a police report provided by Tolentino from the Philippine National Police - MIMAROPA (PNP-MIMAROPA), a still unidentified man barged inside the house of Dodong's employer and fired toward the ground, prompting Dodong to run.

During a press conference, Tolentino stated that he was together with Sen. Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa during the incident and they immediately contacted the Regional Police Director of MIMAROPA Police Brig. Gen. Joel Doria around 10:30 p.m.

Doria assured that Dodong will be secured and Tolentino has confirmed his transfer within the premises of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG).

Tolentino also mentioned that they are looking at putting Vergara under the Witness Protection Program. He stated this after disclosing that armed men were also seen going around her house in Batangas yet this information has not been verified yet.

Vergara became blind from the physical abuse she suffered from her employers Pablo and France Ruiz.

According to Vergara, her female employer would bash her head on the wall of their bathroom or kitchen sink whenever she made a mistake, even if it was small.

Related Tags

Senate Committee on Justice and Human Rights Senator Ronald Bato dela Rosa Senator Francis N. Tolentino

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