NBI joins manhunt vs Bella Ruby

CEBU, Philippines - The National Bureau of Investigation in Central Visayas has joined the manhunt against Bella Ruby Santos who has gone hiding since the court issued a warrant of arrest against her for kidnapping with homicide.

NBI-7 director Edward Villarta said they are gathering information on the possible whereabouts of Santos. He said some of the information they got were found to be negative.

He however said that Santos is still in the country. “Based on our information, hindi pa nakakalabas sa bansa si Bella Ruby Santos,” Villarta said.

The lawyers of the Criminal Investigation and Detective Group-7 yesterday went to the NBI office to gather information about Santos’ possible whereabouts.

Lawyers Inocencio dela Cerna, Glenn Condor, and Hazan Bargamento said they are coordinating with the NBI to consolidate all information about the on going manhunt operation against Santos.

Dela Serna said the NBI is also a member of the Task Force that investigated the kidnapping and murder of six-year-old Ellah Joy Pique in February.

Santos and her British boyfriend Ian Charles Griffiths have been issued warrant of arrest by Regional Trial Court Judge Ester Veloso after they were indicted by the provincial prosecutor’s office for kidnapping with homicide.

Santos and Griffiths were tagged by witnesses as the ones responsible in the kidnapping of Pique last February 8 in Calajoan, Minglanilla. The girl was later found dead in the town of Barili. — (FREEMAN)