PH ambassador to Brazil recalled over maltreatment of Filipino service staff

On Monday, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said that the country’s top diplomat to Brazil has been recalled after she allegedly maltreated her Filipino household helper.

Photo credit: filipinotimes.net

Mauro, who is a career diplomat, was appointed as ambassador to Brazil in 2018. She also served in foreign posts in Belgium and Italy, among others.

The Philippine ambassador to Brazil has been recalled effective immediately to explain the maltreatment of her service staff,

Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. wrote on Twitter.

A report by Brazilian news channel GloboNews showed Philippine ambassador to Brazil Marichu Mauro berating and mistreating her helper multiple times inside the diplomatic residence.

In the video courtesy of Globonews, Mauro was seen slapping the 51-year-old victim, but stopped when another employee entered the house. The ambassador was also seen pulling the helper’s ear in another video, and hitting the helper with an umbrella in a separate incident

According to DFA, the ambassador’s household helper left Brazil last October 21 and is now back in the Philippines. DFA is also reaching out to her and ensuring her well-being and cooperation in the investigation.

The DFA assures the public that a thorough investigation will be conducted,

it added.

Millions of Filipinos choose to work abroad to support their family, abuse of OFWs is not new, however, most cases involves foreign employers.