Santos files her counter-affidavit

CEBU, Philippines - Bella Ruby Santos, the suspect in the kidnapping and murder of six-year-old Ellah Joy Pique, filed her counter-affidavit yesterday to the allegations of the Criminal Investigation and Detective Group.

Santos assisted by her counsels, lawyers Rameses Victorius Villagonzalo and Ana Luz Cristal went to the Provincial Prosecutor’s Office to file their reply to the complaint against her.

Santos, a resident of Barangay Inayagan, Naga City, Cebu, strongly denied all the allegations filed by the CIDG.

She likewise said her boyfriend Ian Charles Griffiths has nothing to do with the kidnapping and killing of Ellah Joy, whose body was dumped in Barili town.

Santos said on the day Ellah Joy was kidnapped she was at home.

“During February 8 and 9 or the dates when the killing and dumping were committed, are well-accounted for as I was at home with my partner Ian Charles Griffiths the entire time because I was exhausted after I wasn’t able to make it to my flight to Singapore on the 8th,” counter-affidavit reads.

Santos said her mother Perla Bautista Erediano, Rolan Arao, Ricardo Dumdum, Rosemarie Tapic and Concepcion Pardillo can attest the facts of where she was during the kidnapping and dumping of the body of Ellah Joy.

In another development, the viewing of Santos’ flash drive and video camera was postponed after Judge Meinrado Paredes failed to get an Information Technology expert.

Paredes said the all motions or pleadings of both camps coming from Santos and the CIDG will be submitted for resolution.

Meanwhile, the Cebu Provincial Police Office will provide covert and overt security for Ellah Joy’s father, Renante, as well as their witnesses.

Task Force Ellah Joy plans to reconvene next week to discuss if they are to pursue a case for grave threats against Santos for allegedly giving Renante a threatening gesture during a court hearing last Friday.

“If this is the only way to stop her from doing such, mas maayong pakgangon,” CPPO director Senior Supt. Patrocinio Comendador said.

Renante said Santos allegedly looked at him while running a finger across her throat. He also went to the Fuente Police Station a day after the threat to report what happened.

Pique claimed that even before he was threatened by Santos last Friday, five men allegedly came looking for him in Barangay Calajoan, Minglanilla.

As alleged by their neighbors, the persons pretended they were doing a survey and asked about his family’s personal life and introduced themselves as personnel of the Land Transportation Office but did not show any ID cards as proof. (FREEMAN)