The search for the alleged missing house helper 21-year-old Justine Mae Saldua continues, according to an official of the Davao City Police Office (DCPO).
DCPO spokesperson Captain Hazel Tuazon said on Wednesday that Saldua, who worked as a househelp in the household of Police Major Michael Uyanguren, was reportedly missing since August 29, 2023 and may be scared to show up or somebody is holding her from showing up the reason why she is still not found until today.
Tuazon said finding Saldua is among the top concerns raised during the first meeting of Special Investigation Task Group (SITG) Saldua on Tuesday.
“Naningkamot mi nga makita ang house helper kay sa iyaha man gikan ang buag-at na statement. Its either naay gapugong niya na magpakita or naa siyay kahadlok ug part kini sa ongoing investigation. We will ask permission from the family kung puwede i-post ang picture sa among page para matabangan mi ug pangita kung asa na ni ang helper karon. We are coordinating now with the family of the house helper,” she said during the AFP PNP Press Corps media briefing at the Royal Mandaya Hotel.
It can recalled that the issue came out after Saldua’s parents, Jimmy and Maria Lourdes Saldua, brought the matter to public attention via Senator Raffy Tulfo’s program “Wanted sa Radyo” aired on September 28, 2023, and during the program, the staff of the senator shared a conversation between the helper and her auntie, which was in Bisaya but translated into Filipino:
“Natatakot ako sa amo na pulis, huwag kang maingay delikado maraming madadamay. Kailangan kong may masumbungan dahil sumisikip na yung dibdib ko. Huwag kang magsumbong kay nanay at tatay, ikaw lang ang sinabihan ko. Madumi na ako kasi ginalaw na ako,” it said.
Uyanguren was relieved from his post and is now under the custody of the Police Regional Office 11 (PRO 11).
“Katong mga statements ni Uyanguren part na sa investigation and then si DCPO director Colonel Alberto Lupaz gahapon iyahang gipa emphasize sa mga investigators, CIDG na kailangan patas ang investigation nga buhaton sa DCPO inubanan sa PRO 11 para ma-satisfy ang pamilya sa helper,” Tuazon said.
Tuazon also said that during the meeting of SITG Saldua, Col. Lupaz directed the investigators to gather all evidence including the CCTV footages in the area where Saldua was last seen, the origin of the taxi that was ridden by Saldua, and others. These will be presented in the next meeting on Friday.
“Dili dali dalion ang kaso kay mag come up pa ta ug bug-at na ebidensya just in case maka file ta ug kaso sa korte. As of the moment ongoing pa ang investigation and still waiting sa result,” she said.
The DCPO assured there will be no whitewash in the ongoing investigation.
