SPAIN – A 32-year old Filipina is currently detained in Barcelona for allegedly drugging and stealing from an elderly under her care.
“Marilou” had been looking after an 85-year old patient for six months.
According to police, Marilou sedates the victim by giving the elderly benzodiazepine.
The items that first went missing were the victim’s jewelry worth 9,720 or more than P460,000. The victim’s family said other jewelries amounting to 35,000 euros or over P1.6 million are also missing.
The family became suspicious of Marilou after several withdrawal transactions were made from the victim’s bank account. Marilou, police said, was able to withdraw 18,700 euros or more than P880,000 from the victim’s bank account in the middle of February.
Due to the victim’s deteriorating health, the family decided to place their kin in a nursing home but still hire Marilou when needed. But a medical check-up confirmed that the victim was given benzodiazepine and the family pressed charges against the Pinay.
Marilou was arrested on March 18. The victim’s bank book, credit card, and a falsified authorization to withdraw were seized from her.
Police said Marilou has a criminal record for stealing and estafa but has yet to be sentenced.
The incident shocked the Filipino community in Barcelona.
Police agent Half-Filipina, half-Spanish Elizabet Cano Beredo said Filipinos have nothing to worry about.
“Nakakagulat ang nangyari pero isolated case lang ito. Tiwala pa rin sila sa mga Filipino. Wala namang problema sa mga Filipino kumpara sa ibang nasyonalidad,” said Beredo.
Balitang Global tried to get Marilou’s side but according to her lawyer, the Pinay declined to give a statement.
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