DFA probes diplomats in nanny abuse raps
OTTAWA – Canadian federal police filed charges Friday against two Philippine diplomats for alleged human trafficking involving the exploitation of the couple’s nanny.
Robert and Bueneflor Cruz, 45 and 44 years old, respectively, face charges including mischief, uttering threats, withholding their former nanny’s identification documents and human trafficking.
The suspects, however, have left the country while their 26-year-old nanny has been “relocated to a safe location” in Canada, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police said.
Following up on a complaint by a third party in December, police said “investigators determined that the victim entered the country legally as a domestic worker for the couple, working as a nanny.
“Investigators found that the victim was exploited for financial and material benefit, from July 2009 to December 2013, at the private residence of the couple in Ottawa.”
Meanwhile, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) in Manila said in a statement that it was now investigating the “alleged misconduct” and took very seriously any allegations of misconduct of its employees.
“The Department is conducting an inquiry into the matter and, through the Philippine Embassy in Ottawa, had extended its full cooperation to the extent defined by international law,” it said.
“The Department expresses confidence in the legal processes of Canada and looks forward to continuing to work on addressing issues in a manner consistent with our friendly bilateral relations,” it added.
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