Man accused ex-councilor's wife of torture

CEBU, Philippines - A 20-year-old man claimed that he was tortured and maltreated by his former employer of while he was working as a house boy last year.

Joseph Gumopas of Ubay, Bohol said Jocelyn “Joy” Perez, wife of former Barangay Banilad Councilor Zaldy Perez, tortured him by using paddle and hitting him with a hammer every time he commits mistake.

Gumopas was accompanied by Dr. Barnard Ibarra Lumapas, a family friend, to lodge a complaint against Perez at the Investigation and Detective Management Bureau (IDMB) of the Mandaue City Police Office (MCPO).

Gumopas went to the doctor's clinic when he arrived in Bohol last week after he felt severe pains because of the bruises and contusions in his body.

His sex organ was also inflamed as a result of the alleged “torture.”

IDMB investigator PO3 Marino Lofranco said that Gumapas worked for Perez from July to December last year.

There were three helpers in the house but the two others left while Gumopas was forced to stay as he did not have money for his fare in going home to Bohol because his employer would directly send his salary to his parents.

Since he was the only one left, he was made to do all the household chores, tend the store and feed the family's high breed dogs.

Gumapas alleged that Perez would beat and torture him every time he commits mistake.

Since he could no longer bear the pain, he was forced to escape and lived in a neighbor's house.

But Perez found him and gave him money for his fare in going home. 

He went home during the Holy Week but his money was only for his boat fare.

At the Tubigon port, he asked for money from a policeman manning the pier which he used in going to Ubay.

Dr. Lumapas accompanied him to Cebu last Thursday to file a complaint against Perez.

The police invited Perez yesterday to the police station but it was her husband, former councilor Zaldy Perez,  who came.

Zaldy denied that his wife tortured and maltreated Gumopas and even called him a thief for stealing P42,000 from them.

The incident was reported at the Casuntingan Police station.

Lofranco said that he will check Casuntingan Police to verify Zaldy's claim.

He also advised Gumopas to get a medical certificate from the Mandaue City Hospital as this will be used in the filing of a complaint against his employer. —