Houseboy robs employer, runs off with boss’ wife

Swallowing his own pride and ignoring the social stigma of being a cuckolded husband, a junkshop dealer sought help from the police and media yesterday to find his houseboy who ran off with his wife.

Alberto Dequito, 39, of Sampaloc, Manila, also accused Cenon Delapiza, 23, of stealing an estimated P300,000 in cash and P100,000 in jewelry. Delapiza also works for Dequito as a driver.

A witness told police he saw Delapiza forcibly opening the locked drawers of his master and later leaving the house, luggage in hand.

Dequito later found his money and jewelry gone as well as his wife, whom he suspects to have eloped with Delapiza.

He said their four children, aged from five to 17, have noticed that their mother had been unusually close to the houseboy in the past days. She later called them by mobile phone and told them that she was with Delapiza.

"I believe my wife was only smitten by the youth of my houseboy. I’d accept her again if she asks for forgiveness. But for Puntoy (the houseboy’s nickname), he should face the bar of justice for his misdeeds," Dequito told reporters.

He added that he did not care about the social stigma of being called a cuckolded husband, saying he only wanted his wife and money back.

Chief Inspector Ador Arevalo Jr., chief of the Manila Police District’s theft and robbery section, filed a robbery charge against Delapiza.

"No other charges could be filed for the wife, for the meantime, unless it could be proven that she indeed is now living in with the suspect," he explained. — Nestor Etolle