CIDG returns evidence to court

CEBU, Philippines - Judge Meinrado Paredes has denied the plea of the Criminal Investigation and Detention Group-7 for custody of the evidence recovered during the implementation of the search warrant against new suspects in the Ellah Joy Pique kidnap-slay case.

Paredes said the evidence must be returned to the court.

The CIDG earlier asked that the evidence remain in their custody to serve as basis for their further investigation of the case but Paredes said the evidence, except for the Pajero, must be returned to the court to safeguard their integrity from any possible tampering.

The evidence includes a computer and electronic devices, an electrical cord and samples of bloodstains and hair strands.

Pique was abducted in Minglanilla town last Feb. 8 before being found dead the following day in Barili naked and wrapped in a white blanket.

The police have already returned the evidence but plan to file a motion to submit the evidence for forensic examination.

“Pwede na man ta mo-file og case actually kay naa na man ta’y mga testimonies sa mga witnesses, but we want to balance our physical and testimonial evidences,” Senior Supt. Patrocinio Comendador, Task force Ellah Joy spokesman, said yesterday.

In their second closed-door meeting with other agencies composing the task force, Police Regional Office-7 director Ager Ontog also told them to come up with strong evidence before they file the case.

“We will wait for the confirmation of the evidences. Let us be circumspect in this. Although hinay, di sad kaayo paspas, and we also want the public to understand that this is the way things are being done,” the task force official added.

As to the accusation that the police tampered with the Pajero’s plate numbers, Comendador said this is such a very unfair accusation to the police.

“Because we do not have nothing to gain kung i-tamper ang plate number. I admonish these people making sweeping statements na tan-awon usa before sila mo-accuse,” Comendador said.

Six new witnesses in the case will be covered by the witness protection program of the Province of Cebu.

Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia yesterday said that the province is willing to extend witness protection to the witnesses and she is just waiting for the proper documentation to be forwarded to her by the PRO- 7.

The governor is constantly being updated with the development of the case as she is chairwoman of the Provincial Anti-Criminality Task Force.

To avail of the witness program a recommendation must first be made by the PNP, this will pass through a thorough validation before it will be finally approved by the governor.

Security to the witness shall then be provided as well as other assistance from the province.

Although she did not give details, Garcia said that she has already approved a number of recommended profiles as well as the tipster’s program.

Garcia said the tipster’s program is being institutionalized to reward informants who can help authorities in the investigation leading to the eventual filing of the case in court.

The program is separate from the one handled by the Department of Justice although the Regional State Prosecutor’s Office is part of the task force.

Meanwhile, a 12-year-old boy alleged that an unidentified person onboard a minivan tried to abduct him in front of Ginatilan Elementary Central School last Wednesday evening.

The boy, a Grade 6 pupil and a resident of barangay Palanas, and his cousin ran to the police station after the former was able to escape.

Earlier, the two were riding tandem on a bicycle to Barangay Poblacion to watch “Teacher’s Night”, one of the activities for the coming fiesta celebration on March 13 and 14.

The boy was bringing a pair of shoes inside a plastic bag hung on the bicycle’s handlebars.

When both almost arrived in Poblacion, the boy noticed the plastic bag was gone and they doubled back to Palanas. When they reached the central school in Barangay San Roque both noticed a black minivan parked along the road.

As they walked beside the van the boy alleged that a person disembarked from the vehicle and grabbed his left wrist saying “dali diri dong” but the boy was able to struggle and escape.

Both hurriedly proceeded towards Palanas without looking back but when they noticed that the van was not following them they ran back towards Poblacion where the police station was and reported the incident.

Policemen immediately conducted a hot pursuit operation and called the police stations of Alegria and Malabuyoc for assistance.

Alegria policemen conducted a roadblock but the minivan was nowhere to be found.

SPO2 Vicente Rama of the Ginatilan Police Station said that the boy might have misinterpreted the actions of the person who grabbed him.

 “Basin na-misinterpret lang to niya pero dili sad ta maka-conclude kay wa ta sa hitabo,” Rama said.

Rama said they are now monitoring the presence of the vehicle near public schools. — /BRP (FREEMAN)