Public told: Screen helper applicants

CEBU, Philippines - The police reminded the public to properly screen helpers following Wednesday’s alleged arson case in Barangay Banilad, Cebu City, that killed one person.

Cebu City Police Office Director Melvin Ramon Buenafe said the public should be more cautious in hiring workers after Aubrey Soria, a stay-in nanny, admitted starting the fire that killed fellow helper Cornelia Tagalog.

Soria claimed she was only planning to burn an envelope owned by her employer, retired colonel Mariano Parcon Sr., containing her personal information and contract after she stole some items from them.

However, when she set the envelope on fire on top of a desk the flames reportedly spread to the curtains and got bigger.

Soria said she needed money for her family.

“My live-in partner kept calling me asking me to leave work and to return home after my child got ill. I did not know what to do but steal,” she said in Cebuano.

The police said Soria stole two cellular phones and several bottles of lotion and perfume from the Parcons and P1,500 believed to be from Tagalog.

The director said employers should do background checks before they accept workers, adding that in Cebu City alone, barangay, police and National Bureau of Investigation clearances are required for any applications.

Despite these requirements, Archie Arizo of Arizo Manpower Services where Soria was employed admitted that Soria was only able to submit one of the three clearances required for her employment.

Archie said that Soria pleaded to be allowed to work despite the lack of requirements which take time to process.

Considering Soria’s appeal, the agency proceeded with her employment by taking her picture, fingerprints and proper documentation.

The arrangement was reportedly approved by the Parcon family who has been their client for over a year.

Arizo also said they will not give legal support to the suspect after she admitted to the crime.

“This might send a wrong sign to our clients. We don’t condone such acts,” he said.

After she admitted starting the fire which killed Tagalog, Soria asked forgiveness from her employer and to the family of Tagalog.

“I never planed on burning the entire house. I just wanted to burn my personal information. To the family of Tagalog, I hope you can forgive me. I am ready to be jailed for what I have done,” she said in Cebuano.  

Meanwhile, prosecutor Gandhi Truya subscribed the affidavits executed by three witnesses against Soria yesterday.

In his affidavit, Juanito Yocte, 37, a resident of Barangay Budlaan, Cebu City, said he was the live-in partner of Tagalog and just heard about her death after a friend asked him to check a report the house she was working in burned down.

At the funeral parlor, Yocte identified his live-in partner.

Arizo said in his affidavit that Soria and her mother, Minda, went to their office last February 20 to apply for a helper position.

She added his staff called Liza Parcon if they wanted a helper to which she answered yes.

However, he said he was surprised when the police went to their office on February 22 and looked for the records of Soria.

He said when he visited Soria in the detention cell the latter confessed she set the fire only to burn the contract so she could not be traced.

In his sworn statement, veterinary worker Eduardo Omandac said on February 22 he was awakened by his live-in partner Loida Vecide when an unidentified woman asked for help.

He said the woman, later identified as Soria, was carrying a traveling bag and dark gray shoulder bag.

He added she told him that she was from Day-as, Cordova and came onboard a taxi.

“I became confused how the taxi entered the entrance while there were many fire trucks at the vicinity of the residence of Ret. Col Mariano Parcon Sr., which is located about 25 meters away and was damaged by fire,” he said.

He said the woman climbed the stepladder going to the Cite Building saying she wanted to urinate. He said he warned her she might be shot by the security guards but the woman said she wanted to die.

When the woman asked for her bag, Omandac refused to return it suspecting she was a thief. The woman then jumped over the fence.

The security guards of the Holy Family Village 1 said they did not see a taxi enter the premises.

When Omandac was shown a picture of Soria he identified her as that woman who asked for their assistance. — (FREEMAN)