MANILA, Philippines — A couple, their son and their family driver were arrested at their home in Barangay BF Homes, Parañaque on Thursday for allegedly beating up two stay-in workers.
Juan Vanguardia, 37, told police he was able to escape from the house of Ethan Besas, 49. He was accompanied by one of the security guards of Tahanan Village when he filed a complaint, according to a spot report from the Southern Police District (SPD).
“I was hit on the head with a hammer. I still have lumps on the back of my head. I was beaten with a belt and they wanted to cut off my tongue so I would not be able to talk,” Vanguardia said in Filipino, according to a News5 report.
His fellow worker, Venzar delos Reyes, 22, was rescued by police officers at Besas’ house.
“They have been beating me for a month. They wound a charger cable around my neck, used a cutter on me, hit me with pliers,” Delos Reyes said in the News5 report.
He also accused Besas and his son, Mariano, 23, of punching him repeatedly.
The two workers alleged that Besas and his family illegally detained them in the house and that Besas and his son beat them while Besas’ wife, Maila, 47, took videos.
Aside from Besas and Mariano, police also arrested Maila and family driver Michael Auguis, 24, who reportedly acted as a lookout.
The two workers said they have been employed by the Besas family as window installers for six months. They took the stay-in job after being promised good pay and lodging.
Vanguardia said they tried to escape last Tuesday but were caught. He said they were brought to the police to strike fear into them.
BF Homes police substation commander Maj. Melvin Florida said the workers were placed under arrest after their employer reported them for theft. The employer later withdrew the complaint against them, he said.
“It turned out they were being detained, beaten up,” Florida added.
The SPD said Besas, his family and driver – who face charges of serious illegal detention with physical injuries – are being held at the Parañaque custodial facility. The Besas family denied the allegations against them.