Lim seeks BI hold order on woman who abused maid

MANILA, Philippines - Manila City Mayor Alfredo Lim said yesterday he will ask the Bureau of Immigration (BI) to issue a hold departure order against a 62-year-old woman who allegedly maltreated her 17-year-old maid for five months.

Lim said Rosa So should be placed on the BI’s watchlist “because she already has a case” against her. Police have filed physical injury and forced labor charges, both in relation to the anti-child abuse law, against So, who has reportedly posted P40,000 bail.

He added that he was also concerned about So’s alleged failure to pay the victim her P2,500 monthly salary. “If it has been five months, she owes her P12,500. She was also fed only once a day and (made to) sleep in the bathroom without a banig (mat),” he said.

Lim said they have been giving the victim free medical treatment at the Jose Abad Santos Mother and Child Hospital in Binondo, Manila and “we are trying to contact her family.”

When asked if the victim would return to her province once she has been discharged from the hospital, he said he would leave it up to her. She was reportedly forced to work as a maid to help put her three siblings through school.