Pique kidnap-slay Police anticipate escape of Santos

CEBU, Philippines - Anticipating the possibility that Ruby Bella Santos will escape following her indictment of a heinous crime for kidnapping with homicide, the Cebu Provincial Police Office is sealing off all possible exit points in the province.

CPPO director Patrocinio Comendador said they are preparing for the worst scenario that Santos will escape before a warrant of arrest could be issued against her.

“That’s the usual thing that happened if non-bailable ang kaso, mutago gyud na but now she is still a free person,” Comendador said.

Comendador however admitted that they could not do anything to arrest Santos if she decides to leave Cebu for now because there is no warrant of arrest against her yet. He is however confident that Santos could not easily leave the country as she is already under the watchlist of the Bureau of Immigration.

Comendador said it would be impossible for her to leave the country without being noticed by the immigration officials and the Police Center for Aviation and Security in Mactan Cebu International Airport.

According to Comendador, they are closely working with the Bureau of Immigration to monitor Santos’ movement. The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group is also working for the issuance of a hold departure order against Santos.

Supt. Romano Cardiño, CIDG-7 deputy director, said they have already filed last week the petition before the Department of Justice. Cardiño said they are just waiting for the approval of their petition by Justice Secretary Leila Delima.

The Cebu Provincial Prosecutor’s Office recently found probable cause to file the criminal case for kidnapping with homicide against Santos and her British boyfriend Ian Charles Griffiths before the Regional Trial Court.

They were tagged in the kidnapping and murder of six-year-old Ellah Joy Pique in Calajoan, Minglanilla last February.

Lawyer Rameses Victorious Villagonzalo, counsel for the accused, yesterday filed a manifestation informing the prosecutor’s office that they are seeking for a reconsideration of the resolution finding probable cause to indict his clients.

Villagonzalo said they are filing the formal motion for reconsideration within 10 days.

He claimed that his clients are innocent of the crime attributed to them. — (FREEMAN)