CCTV catches housemaid maltreating 85-year-old ward

A housemaid faces charges from her employer after footage from a closed-circuit television camera caught her maltreating her 85-year-old ward earlier this month.

Emily Magbanua was caught on camera maltreating her employer's bedridden mother, GMA News' Isay Reyes reported on "24 Oras" Monday evening.

"Naging mabuti kami sa kanya. Pamilya yung naging turing namin sa kanya kahit bago pa lang siya kasi pinakitaan ko siya ng maganda. Yung hinihingi ko lang na bantayan niya nanay ko sa oras na wala kami," said the employer.

CCTV footage on July 16 showed Magbauna forcing the spoon into her ward's mouth while feeding her. The footage also indicated she may have used unnecessary force in cleaning her elderly ward. As if these were not enough, Magbanua was seen in the footage hitting the woman on the head.



Footage on July 17, meanwhile, showed Magbanua holding her ward's nose after feeding her. It also showed her violently shaking the old woman.

It was at this time that the elderly ward's grandchild saw what was happening on the computer monitor, and eventually reviewed footage from the past days.

After confirming that the maltreatment had taken place, the family lodged a complaint with the barangay and police.

Magbanua denied the allegations.

"Nung time na sinabi ng anak ko na sinasaktan, galit na agad yung naramdaman ko eh. Galit na galit ako," said Magbanua's employer.

The report said a record check of Magbanua showed she was from Narra town in Palawan province. A relative of the employer had reportedly recommended her.

Following the incident, the employer said she wants justice.

"Sa akin sa ngayon nasa puso ko ang pagpapatawad sa kanya. Pero kailangan namin ng hustisya para sa nanay ko," she said.

Meanwhile, an owner of an employment agency advised prospective employers to make sure the household helper is trustworthy.

They were also advised to make sure the documents submitted are authentic, and were urged to do their own background check.

They were also told not to tolerate any irregular behavior by the helper.

"Security is everybody's responsibility. Hindi lang yan sa agency. Huwag tayong masyadong lenient. Let's set our rules, sabihan natin sila may hidden camera in place," said Quality Care Employment Services owner Archie Arizo in the same report. —Joel Locsin/KBK, GMA News