Helper is suspect in P2M theft

CEBU, Philippines - A family is now looking for their helper whom they accused of stealing P1.8 million worth of jewelry and P127,000 in cash from their house in Calderon Compound, Sitio Banawa, Barangay Guadalupe.

Police said Maria Elena Madaje, 27, a native of Liloy, Zamboanga del Norte, is now being sought for allegedly stealing from her employer Concepcion Tecson.

Vicente Fernandez, the family’s lawyer, said the cash and items were discovered missing last Saturday morning.

Fernandez said that earlier that day, Madaje told her fellow house helper Regina Dandayo that she would go out for a while to have her laptop fixed.

The jewelry and cash, owned by Tecson, her grandchildren, and the other house helpers, were then discovered missing, along with 10 checks.

Fernandez said they suspected Madaje as she no longer reported for work.

Their suspicion was heightened when the management of a bank in Iligan City called Tecson last Monday asking if she really wanted to encash her check amounting to P1.5 million.

The woman, who made the transaction, identified herself to the bank as Tecson’s relative and even showed a postal identification card with the surname “Tecson”.

While the bank management was still confirming from Tecson, the suspect left the bank, Fernandez said. The bank management alerted the police about the suspect but she was able to escape.

Fernandez further said that they coordinated with the bank management and sent a picture of the suspect for verification. The bank confirmed that the photo resembled the face of the woman in the postal ID.

Right now, Fernandez said they are just waiting for the certificate from the bank that a transaction was attempted and copy of the postal ID for them to file a case against the suspect.

“The bank assured to coordinate with us,” he said. 

The lawyer further said that the suspect attempted to steal from the vault of the house as all the keys were missing and believed now in the suspect’s hands.

Police believe that the suspect is already a professional criminal considering the amount of loot she escaped with.

Madaje had been working as stay-in house helper of the family for three months now.  (FREEMAN)