DFA recalls envoy in Brazil over alleged abuse video

FOREIGN Affairs Secretary Teodoro L. Locsin Jr. on Monday announced the recall of the Philippine ambassador to Brazil following release of video footage showing her apparently mistreating her household staff.

“The Philippine Ambassador to Brazil has been recalled effective immediately to explain the maltreatment of her service staff,” Locsin tweeted.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) subsequently issued a statement, repeating the recall to the home office of Ambassador Marichu Mauro, who was appointed to the post in February 2018. She also has concurrent jurisdiction to Colombia and Venezuela.

The video footage dated October 25 was taken from what appears to be a closed- circuit television ( CCTV) of Mauro’s residence, which was shown on Brazilian television network Globo News.

Two television broadcasters, a male and female, were shown commenting about the CCTV in Portuguese, while Ambassador Mauro, a career diplomat, was seen holding a female household help by the ear. There were other forms of physical abuse on four occassions.

The blurry video could not establish whether the abuse was committed only on the female helper or other members of her household. The incident reached the Philippines via social media.

The media asked Executive Director Ivy Banzon-abaloz how the CCTV got into the hands of a Brazilian television station, or whether somebody from Mauro’s household provided the CCTV to the TV station but got no reply. However, she confirmed the recall of the envoy.

“The household staff left Brasilia on October 21 and is back in the Philippines. The DFA is reaching out to her to ensure her well-being and cooperation in the investigation,” the DFA said in a statement, adding that a thorough investigation will be conducted.

Dates on the CCTV footage listed the incident took place in March, August and twice in October this year.

Globo News said the events occurred inside Mauro’s diplomatic residence.