Farm owner sends worker to jail

A FEMALE caretaker of a poultry farm in Danao City, northern Cebu, was arrested after the farm owner accused her of stealing chickens and feeds worth half a million pesos.

Emerita Bentoy was arrested yesterday by operatives of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group in Central Visayas in her home in barangay Malapoc, Danao.

Regional Trial Court (RTC) Judge Sylvia Aguirre Paderanga of Branch 25 in Danao City issued a warrant for Bentoy’s arrest for two counts of theft.

The arrest stemmed from a complaint filed by Ma. Veda Mostesclaros-Suzuki, owner of TOSIE poultry farm in Malapoc.

Suzuki said the loss of chicken and feeds worth half million pesos forced her to stop the operation of the farm.

Bentoy, who worked in the farm for less than a year,  denied any wrongdoing. She said she would butcher chickens upon the orders of Suzuki.

Suzuki said she conducted an investigation when she noticed that there were missing chickens and feed.

She  learned from other workers that Bentoy would sell some dressed chickens to a restaurant.

Two poultry workers executed an affidavit against Bentoy, accusing her of stealing feeds./CORRESPONDENT CHITO O. ARAGON