Househelp of TV reporter arrested for theft

MANILA, Philippines — The househelp of a television reporter ended up behind bars after allegedly stealing gadgets and ATM cards from her employer’s house in Quezon City.

Lita Jamdayan, 30, was about to leave for her hometown in Bohol when she was arrested at around 1 p.m. Monday at a bus terminal in Cubao.

Superintendent Osmundo de Guzman, La Loma police station commander, said the househelp was nabbed after her employer, ABS CBN reporter Raffy Santos, filed a complaint against her.

The househelp left the house in Barangay (village) San Isidro Labrador while the Santoses were away on Sunday morning.

Santos said his family left the house at around 10:30 a.m. but were back by 11 a.m.

However, three cell phones, a tablet and several ATM cards were already missing.

De Guzman learned that the suspect had been working for the family for only three days on the recommendation of a former helper.

Santos reported the theft to De Guzman, who then dispatched his men to scour bus terminals with Bohol-bound buses in search of the suspect.

Operatives conducted a stakeout on Sunday night at bus terminals with Bohol-bound buses until they spotted Jamdayan on Monday afternoon.