Farmhand nabbed for theft of 600 chickens

CEBU, Philippines - A poultry farm caretaker was arrested yesterday dawn for allegedly stealing over 600 chickens in Barangay Malapoc, Danao City.

Emerita Bentoy, 42, a resident of the same barangay, was arrested by elements of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group yesterday who came with a warrant issued by Judge Sylvia Paderanga of Regional Trial Court Branch 25 of Danao City, for qualified theft.

The complaint was filed by her employer, Maria Veda Montesclaros, who owned the poultry farm where the accused used to work.

The farm was a contract grower of Magnolia-San Miguel Corp. for over 10 years.

According to Montesclaros, they lost around 600 chickens last May when they delivered their livestock to Magnolia.

As the overall caretaker of the farm, Montesclaros alleged that Bentoy is the only one who could have known where the missing poultry went, adding that they received information that Bentoy allegedly sold the chickens to several restaurants.

She also alleged that the victim had stolen several things from her house in the past but she decided to forgive the victim and accept her back as her worker.

“Nakita namo ang losses human sa harvesting unya na question gyud mi og maayo sa Magnolia tungod sa ka kuwang,” Montesclaros said. 

Aside from the 600 chickens, Bentoy is also allegedly responsible for loss of other poultry products all worth P1 million. The farm, unable to cope with losses, closed last June 2.

Bentoy denied the allegations against her.

“Di na tinuod! karon rana nga na suko siya nako. Iya ra ko nga gibutang-butangan og estorya,” Bentoy said.

Bentoy said that she has worked honestly day and night to satisfy the demands of her boss.

“Wala gyud ko’y gihilabtan, nag-antos ra gali ko sa akong trabaho,” she said.

Bentoy claims that stealing is not possible with their strict recording scheme in the farm, adding that there are weekly inspections conducted by Magnolia.

“Kay wala man koy kwarta, ila ra ma palit ang hustisya,” she said.

The complainant is also planning to file an oral defamation case against Bentoy for spreading damaging rumors about her family. 

The judge set the bail of the accused at P24,000. — (FREEMAN)