Ella Joy Pique case: DNA test on blood sample negative

CEBU, Philippines - The blood samples taken from the blanket and the comforter allegedly used in covering the body of six-year-old Ellah Joy Pique did not match with the blood samples taken from her parents.

But prosecution lawyer Inocencio Dela Cerna said they are confident that their case is still strong even with the negative DNA results because 12 witnesses positively identified suspects Bella Ruby Santos and her boyfriend, British national Charles Griffiths.

“We are relying heavily on the positive identification of the witnesses,” he said.

The blood sample from the Mitsubishi Pajero allegedly used in transporting Pique, who was killed and dumped in Barili town, was also labeled negative by the Philippine National Police Crime Laboratory. 

Dela Cerna explained that the “negative” means the blood sample they submitted was not enough to conduct a DNA examination.

The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG)-7 released the report yesterday.

“Dili ingon nga wala ni-match sa blood samples taken from the parents but dili ni igo to determine the DNA kay gamay ra,” Dela Cerna told The FREEMAN in a phone interview.

Dela Cerna clarified that blood sample was taken about three to four days after the incident.

“The blood has dried up and the portion of the Pajero where the sample was taken has been cleaned up,” he said.

Renante Pique, Ellah Joy’s father, is still very hopeful that they will win the case even with the negative DNA result.

Renante also said they are not relying on the DNA result because they knew from the start of the case that the test would yield a negative result as the blood samples from the Pajero were not enough.

Renante further said that they have other strong evidence against the suspects

“Klaro na man gy’ud kaayo na ang hustisya ari sa amoa,” he said.

Defense counsel Ramese Villagonzalo said: "Immediately after the CIDG filed a motion to take custody of blood samples [allegedly from Ellah Joy Pique] for DNA testing on March 2011, our clients Ian Charles Griffiths and Bella Ruby Santos have consistently demanding for the release and publication of the results of that DNA testing on the grounds that: 1] they themselves know and are certain that such DNA testing will reveal negative results because they never kidnapped and killed Ellah Joy, more so, boarded the cadaver inside Bella Ruby's Pajero with plate number LMJ 382 and 2] to expose the sad reality that they were just made as suspects because the police cannot find the real culprits."

Villagonzalo said the police and prosecution cannot just disown the DNA result because the document came from them.

"The negative result cannot be simply disregarded as immaterial because a positive result will mean that the cadaver of Ellah Joy was physically transported inside Bella Ruby's Pajero," he said. —

Niña G. Sumacot, Ria Mae Y. Booc/MBG(FREEMAN)