CHR to probe case of abused Mindoro helper

The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) on Tuesday said it would conduct an investigation on the case of an alleged abused helper in Mindoro who has gone blind and sustained wounds.

Earlier on Tuesday, the Senate justice and human rights committee issued a subpoena to the family who allegedly abused Elvie Vergara.

Lawyer Erwin Caliba, CHR officer-in-charge of Planning and Management Office said the commission also monitors the case filed before the prosecutor's office.

Caliba said the CHR will coordinate with Vergara's lawyer, Jovito Gambol, on who will file a case against the barangay chairman who allegedly ignored the victims when she asked for help.

“Hinintay lang po ng kapitan yung amo ko, tinawagan niya po sabi po niya “Sir Gerry, nandito yung kasambahay ko ‘yung katulong mo”. Tapos sabi po nung amo ko, sabi ‘wag kayong maniwala diyan sa katulong ko nagsisinungaling,” Vergara narrated.

"I believe he should be charged also, for acting in conspiracy in collusion. It is up to the office of the prosecutor to assess," Gambol said.

"If there is a conspiracy, all the conspirators are equally guilty," he added.

Meanwhile, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DWSD) has provided Vergara psychosocial first aid along with the P10,000 cash assistance for her daily needs.

Gambol said that there will be a hearing on Wednesday at 10 a.m. at the Batangas City Prosecutor's Office.

"I believe that the subpoena will already be issued to the respondents, I honestly believe also that. I don't know if Ruiz will submit a counter-affidavit," he said.

The 44-year-old Vergara looked back on her traumatic experience in an episode of "Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho." 

Vergara said she received no payment since she started working for the couple in 2017. She said she was accused of theft in 2020.

Vergara also said they started hurting her.

Vergara and her family have filed cases of serious illegal detention, trafficking, and serious physical injuries against her employers.—Sherylin Untalan/LDF, GMA Integrated News