Griffiths urged: Prove innocence, face trial

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu provincial prosecutor Pepita Jane Petralba has challenged British national Ian Charles Griffiths to face trial and prove his claim that he is innocent of the crime filed against him and his Filipina fiancé Bella Ruby Santos.

Petralba said there is no other way to prove his innocence but to face trial in court.

Griffiths, 48, went home to the United Kingdom before the police could file charges against him and Santos for the kidnapping and murder of six-year-old Ellah Joy Pique early this year.

Petralba however said they are already working for Griffiths’ extradition to the Philippines to face trial. Since there is no existing “Extradition Treaty” between the Philippines and the United Kingdom, the Philippine government through the Department of Justice has made a government-to-government request.

Petralba assured the public, especially the family of the victim, that they are now working bring Griffiths back to the Philippines.

“The request for extradition is moving. It was the chief state counsel of the Department of Justice (DOJ) Central Office who evaluated all the records of the case,” she said.

Petralba explained that to bring back Griffiths in the Philippines it requires a high-profile appeal by the Philippine Justice to the British Government.

Meanwhile, government prosecutors have started preparing for trial following the arrest of Santos in Manila last week.

Petralba said she will start brainstorming with the members of the prosecution panel, including the private prosecutors.

The meeting is scheduled this afternoon as part of their preparation for the arraignment of Santos on October 24. The meeting is necessary to plan out strategies to effectively prosecute the case.

The members of the Task Force Ellah Joy are also meeting this afternoon, said Cebu Provincial Police Office chief Patrocinio Comendador.

Comendador said they will discuss the possibility of asking the court to reconsider the detention of Santos at the Naga City Jail.

Comendador believes that Santos should be detained at the Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center being a neutral ground.

He said Renante Pique, father of the victim, was even disappointed by the court’s decision to commit Santos in Naga City Jail.

“In our conversation nasagmuyo lagi siya kay ngano kunong adto but we leave it to the wise decision of the court,” Comendador said.

Santos and Griffiths were accused in the kidnapping and murder of Pique last February. – Mylen P. Manto and Ria Mae Y. Booc/FPL (FREEMAN)