'Poison Ivy' leaves letter to jailer

MANILA, Philippines - A maid convicted of poisoning and robbing her employers left a note to the head of the Women’s Correctional just before she escaped the jail facility on Nov. 19, an official said yesterday.

Anamae Livrando, dubbed by the police as “Poison Ivy,” had left a letter addressed to Women’s Correctional director Superintendent Rachel Ruelo, according to Senior Superintendent Nelson Yabut.

In her letter, Livrando wrote that she does not believe in the reform system of the penitentiary and had vowed to escape. She is serving her sentence after she poisoned at least 10 families in Manila and Quezon City and then stole their money and jewelry when they were hospitalized.

Livrando, who was arrested by Yabut and his men, escaped from the Manila City Jail in 2008 while she was on trial for frustrated homicide and robbery.

She was rearrested by Quezon City policemen last August after she poisoned two more families.

Manila Police District acting director Senior Superintendent Alex Gutierrez yesterday directed his 11 police station commanders to notify residents in their areas of jurisdiction, especially affluent families, to exercise extreme caution in hiring maids.

Gutierrez believes the escaped convict may resurface in Manila, as she had vowed to continue her criminal activities once she regains freedom.  

Yabut said he is checking on Livrando’s friends, with “whom she may seek refuge.”