Tortured maid seeks DOJ protection

MANILA, Philippines—The house maid who was tortured to blindness by her employer has sought the Department of Justice’s protection.

Bonita Baran, 21, accompanied by Chief Public Attorney Persida Rueda-Acosta submitted Baran’s application to be admitted to the government’s Witness Protection Program.

Baran already filed a case of attempted murder, kidnapping and serious illegal detention and seven counts of serious physical injuries against her employers Analiza Marzan and her husband Reynold.

Based on her complaint, she was hired by the couple in 2007 and that Annaliza began maltreating her in April 2008.

The alleged physical abuse ranged from strangling her neck, burning her nose with a hot iron and pouring cold water or bleach on her burns and wounds.

Annaliza allegedly punched Baran’s eyes, which eventually caused blindness in the right eye and dimming sight in the other.

From June 2009 up to May 2010, the Marzans allegedly prevented her from leaving the house and even locked her up inside a dark toilet.

The couple let her go home to the province only in May 2012.