According to ABS-CBN News, Ai-Ai de las Alas has now filed charges against two employees from a convenience store outlet in Sampaloc, Manila, who reportedly maltreated her 16-year-old son last December 8.
Ai-Ai was accompanied by her lawyer, Rowena Guanzon to the NBI where she filed child abuse, grave threat and illegal detention charges against a store attendant and a security guard of the Mini-Stop store branch located at Padre Noval Street. One of the respondents was identified as Melvin Buceta.
In her two-page complaint, Ai-Ai related how her son purchased some items on the said store before being confronted by the two store employees. The attendant thought that Ai-Ai's son was attempting to shoplift because the boy went outside with an unpaid candy still in his pocket, not knowing that the boy actually just wanted to ask his friends if they needed anything else. From there, the attendant reportedly took the boy to the storage room where he threatened him if Ai-Ai's son did not admit to the crime.
"Naawa ako sa anak ko dahil for a 16-year old, bakit kailangan nila magtulong-tulong for him dahil sa kendi?" Ai-Ai said. She also told ABS-CBN News that her son revealed the incident only during the Christmas break.
"Sabi ko hinihingi ko lang naman yung middle initial nung tao. Sabi niya hindi ko po maibibigay sa inyo kasi Christmas party po namin, sabing ganoon. At huwag kayong tatawag kasi Christmas party namin," Ai-Ai explained.
Upon knowing her son's story, she immediately tried to get in touch with the manager of the Mini-Stop branch, only to find out that Buceta was no longer connected with the branch. Atty. Guanzon disagrees, however. She said that Ai-Ai's son saw Buceta enter the same Mini-Stop branch a few days ago. This prompted the comedienne to immediately file a complaint straight to the NBI in behalf of her son.
At press time, PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal) is still waiting for the official statement of Mini-Stop management.