Witness in abused helper's case escapes slay try

The witness in the case of abused helper Elvie Vergara escaped an attempt on his life after two men entered his house and fired shots.

According to a 24 Oras report by Emil Sumangil on Thursday, the Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) in Calapan, Oriental Mindoro now has custody of alias "Dodong."

“Hindi ko po nakilala, naka-bonet hindi kita ang mukha. Nagtanong siya, dito ka lang pala nakatira eh. Mamaya putok ulit. Pagtapos ng putok, ang sabi ko… ihi muna ako, tahimik lang siya, tapos paglabas ko, putok siya ulit sinundan ako,” said Dodong in an exclusive interview.

Dodong said he was able to escape by running towards the rice field.  He then called for help when he reached the municipal police station.  

The CIDG said the attack could be linked to his role as witness in the Vergara case.

“Walang ibang magpapatunay sa maltreatment dun kay Elvie kundi itong mga tao na ito,” said PNP-CIDG Region 4-B chief Police Colonel Olivia Sagaysay.

The PNP-CIDG said it is working to identify the attackers, while other possible witnesses to the case have already been secured.

“May nakuha tayo info na pilit na pinag affidavit yung ibang trabahador doon. Dinala sa Batangas para pagsalaysayin na hindi naman totoo… Pabor sa inirereklamo [ang affidavit], pinapasinungalingan nila yung maltreatment nung mag-asawa,” added Sagaysay.

Meanwhile, Dodong said he had no intentions of backing out as a witness  despite the threat on his life.

“Kaawa naman si Elvie, kaibigan ko siya. Kami magkasama nagtrabaho ruon eh. Ako na lang nakaawat. Hindi kami sahuran. Tumakas ako…” Dodong said.

Vergara claimed she got blind after being severely maltreated by her employers, which the latter denied.

The Senate has conducted an inquiry on the incident.—Jiselle Anne Casucian/LDF, GMA Integrated News