Arrest warrant out vs Santos, Griffiths

CEBU, Philippines -   Regional Trial Court Branch 6 Judge Ester Veloso issued a warrant of arrest yesterday against Bella Ruby Santos and her boyfriend Charles Ian Griffiths, the two accused in the kidnapping and killing of six-year-old Ellah Joy Pique last February.

Judge Veloso is also set to hear at 8:30 this morning the “very urgent motion” the Children’s Legal Bureau (CLB) filed for the court to issue a hold-departure order against Santos.

The court found reason to issue the warrant after evaluating the resolution of the three-man panel tasked to prosecute the case.

Lawyer Inocencio Dela Cerna, in an interview over Balitang Bisdak last night, said the Task Force Ellah Joy led by Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG)-7 immediately came up with a plan to enforce the warrant against Santos.

She is believed to be still here in the country. Griffiths was arrested by police in London.

“The issuance of the warrant of arrest is the icing on the cake. Hope she will be enlightened and give herself up. If she thinks she is innocent, she should appear,” Dela Cerna said.

The lawyer added that Santos may be hiding now, but the CIDG are confirming information received as to her whereabouts.

As to the evidence, including the viewing of the USB that is believed to contain pornographic items, Dela Cerna said these will all be transferred to the sala of Judge Veloso from Judge Meinrado Paredes, although Paredes said the prosecution still has to file a motion to transfer the evidence.

Veloso earlier deferred the hearing of the CLB’s “very urgent motion.”

Veloso said “haste makes waste” after finding that the motion, filed through lawyers Joann Saniel-Amit, Noemi Abarientos and Joann Pabriaga, lacked requirements.

The CLB asked the court to issue a hold-departure order after Santos sold her house and vehicle.

The CLB refiled it yesterday with attached documents and conformity from the panel of prosecutors composed of Prosecutors Patronio Elesterio, Annabelle Robles and Jerome Abarca.

The panel was created by Regional State Prosecutor Fernando Gubalane to prosecute the case. Elesterio was appointed as lead for the prosecution.

Gubalane announced they welcome other lawyers or non-government organizations (NGO) who would like to assist in prosecuting the case for kidnapping with homicide against Santos and her boyfriend.

He said this would help them in their effort to give justice for Ellah Joy.

Santos and Griffiths were charged for kidnapping with homicide in relation to the death of Ellah Joy last February 8, 2011. The body of Ellah Joy was found in Barili town the day after she was abducted. -/JPM (FREEMAN)