Journalist Gretchen Malalad says helper attempted to poison cats with muriatic acid
Warning: animal cruelty
Journalist Gretchen Malalad’s former helper allegedly attempted to poison her cats using muriatic acid.
In a video posted on her Facebook page, Malalad told followers she had “disturbing news” to share and mentioned the name of Cristry Radoc.
“Nilagay niya ang muriatic acid sa mga tubig ng cats ko,” Malalad claimed. “My other two maids alerted me nung pag-uwi ko nung Friday galing sa trabaho.”
The video showed closed-circuit television footage of Malalad’s kitchen and basement, where her cat’s cage is. Radoc can be seen holding a mug as she went inside the cage and took a seat.
“May hawak-hawak siyang mug pretending na umiinom,” Malalad said. “At first, 'di mo mapapansin, parang walang nangyari.”
Upon taking a closer look, Malalad said the helper secretly poured the mug’s contents into the cats’ drinking bowl.
The helper also went to the other cat cage and poured something again, according to Malalad.
Radoc can also be seen “drinking” from the mug, which Malalad said was just an act.
The CCTV footage also showed Malalad and her two other helpers in the kitchen smelling her cat’s drinking bowl before pouring its contents onto the sink.
“It was so strong,” she said of the smell, adding her sink darkened as a chemical reaction to the muriatic acid.
“I’m sharing this now because she’s seeking new employment,” Malalad said of Radoc. “It’s so dangerous to have someone like her.”
Malalad said she went to the barangay of Radoc’s residence in Tondo, Manila and filed a complaint.
They held a hearing with barangay officials, during which Radoc, according to Malalad, showed no remorse.
“Ang pinapalabas niya, ako pa ‘yung masama at abusadong amo,” she said, adding barangay officials made Radoc admit to attempting to poison the cats.
“Sinasabi pa niya, ‘Bakit, meron bang namatay? Namatay ba ‘yung pusa?’” Malalad quoted Radoc as supposedly saying.
Alladin Cuevas, the barangay village chief, told ABS-CBN News that Radoc expressed concerns over caring for Malalad’s cats, citing scratches and bites.
Radoc has yet to air her side of the story.
Another barangay hearing is set to take place on Dec. 10.