Cops rescue housemaids from alleged maltreatment

MANILA, Philippines - Three housemaids, two of them minors, were rescued by the police in a raid at their employers’ house in Sta. Ana, Manila Tuesday night.

Chief Inspector Anita Araullo, head of the Women and Children Protection Desk of the Manila Police District, said the maids, Josie Palomo, 19; Marivel Amor, 15; and Pinky Arabening, 17; were allegedly being physically abused and detained by their employers identified as Christie Regina de Leon, 54, and her daughter Anne Kristine Songhen-Nuestro.

Araullo said the abuses were reported to her by Rescue 117 based on the report of a concerned neighbor of the maids.

Acting on the report, the Manila policemen, crew of GMA-7 and barangay officials rescued the maids and invited for questioning their employers.

In a face-to-face confrontation, the maids averred that they were beaten up by their employers for every mistake committed. They were also locked up inside the house when their employers were away and were able to eat lunch at 4 p.m. and their dinner at 1 a.m.

Araullo said the alleged maltreatment happened last month. After filing their complaints, the maids were allowed to return to their province in Iloilo.

Charges of violation of the anti-child abuse law and physical injuries were filed against the employers.