Witness in maid’s abuse unhurt in gun attack

MANILA, Philippines — A man who reportedly witnessed the alleged physical abuse received by househelp Elvie Vergara from her former employers was unhurt in a shooting in Paluan, Occidental Mindoro on Tuesday.

The man identified only as Dodong was watching television at around 9 p.m. when a man kicked the door of the house where he was staying and shot him, but missed, according to Occidental Mindoro police director Col. Jun Dexter Danao.

In an interview over Radyo 630 dwPM, Danao said Dodong managed to run and seek shelter at the house of a neighbor.

Police have transferred Dodong to an undisclosed place for his protection.

Dodong is said to be a former helper of the former employers of Vergara, Jerry and France Ruiz, in Occidental Mindoro.

A manhunt for the gunman is underway.

Vergara was allegedly not paid her wages in the seven years that she worked for the Ruiz couple. She was allegedly beaten up to the point that she went blind.