Philippines pulls out envoy in Brazil over alleged staff maltreatment

MANILA, Philippines (Updated 4:09 p.m.) — The Philippines recalled its ambassador in Brazil over supposed maltreatment of their personnel, the country's top diplomat said Monday.

"The Philippine Ambassador to Brazil has been recalled effective immediately to explain the maltreatment of her service staff," Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. said in a tweet.

The Department of Foreign Affairs said Ambassador Marichu Mauro was instructed to go home immediately after the release of video clips showing her "berating and mistreating" her household staff.

@DFAPHL @ANCALERTS @gmanews @cnnphilippines @BusinessMirror The Philippine Ambassador to Brazil has been recalled effective immediately to explain the maltreatment of her service staff.

— Teddy Locsin Jr. (@teddyboylocsin) October 26, 2020

"The household staff left Brasilia on October 21 and is back in the Philippines. The DFA is reaching out to her to ensure her wellbeing and cooperation in the investigation," the DFA said in a statement released Monday afternoon.

The DFA assured the public that a thorough investigation into the incident will be conducted.

According to a report from Brazil's GloboNews, the victim is a 51-year-old Filipino and worked in the ambassador's official residence at the back of the embassy's main building.

The CCTV footage recorded from the diplomatic residence was used as evidence in a complaint against Mauro in late August, the report said.

According to the official website of Philippine Embassy in Brazil, Mauro presented her credentials to Brazilian President Michel Temer on Apr. 28, 2018.

The Philippine Embassy in Brazil also has jurisdiction over Colombia, Guyana, Suriname and Venezuela.