CEBU, Philippines - Senior Superintendent Patrocinio Comendador, head of the Task Force Ellah Joy, warned the defense counsel of Bella Ruby Santos and British national Ian Charles Griffiths against using him as one of the hostile witnesses because his appearance in court might only ruin their plans.
Comendador said that whatever the defense is planning would amount to nothing if Santos would not appear in court.
“Kita, we should be careful with what we wish and ask for because we might get it and they should be careful if ila kong gamiton,” the police official said.
It is not only Comendador that is being eyed by the defense as hostile witness. They are also planning to include former Cebu Provincial Police Office director Sr. Supt. Erson Digal.
If defense counsel Rameses Villagonzalo plans to create an ‘argument’ between Comendador and Digal, the provincial director said he knows how to handle the situation.
“Dili sad nuon ko mutuo ana but the truth will always prevail,” Comendador said.
Comendador’s two experiences as hostile witness are already enough for him to know how to handle such a situation, he said.
He believes the ‘hostile witness’ strategy is only an added spice to the issue but Comendador will appear in court if subpoenaed.
Yesterday, Comendador disclosed that people with “noble intentions” called him up wiling to donate an amount, but he refused.
He added that he is willing to accept the amount if somebody from a non-government organization is willing to keep the cash.
“Dili jud ako mismo ang mogunit kay lain kaayo paminawn mao na akong gi-suggest ni Renante Pique (Ellah Joy’s father),” Comendador said.
On reports that a certain former US Navy member knows the ‘real suspects’ of the case, Comendador said the claim is only a diversion.
“Coming from a defense counsel, they will do all means to pinpoint the real suspects,” he said.
Villagonzalo clarified it was not the retired US navy who called him to give him some lead on the real suspects.
“It was the tipster who has contact with the US navy. I did not see him personally nor talked to him,” Villagonzalo said.
However, he said they contacted the navy’s wife but the latter was hesitant to cooperate. (FREEMAN)