Santos’ supporters ‘harass’ us – Pique

CEBU, Philippines - The supporters of kidnapping suspect Bella Ruby Santos allegedly harassed Renante Pique and his family after they attended the supposed pre-trial of the kidnap-slay case of six-year-old Ellah Joy.

Renante, Ellah Joy’s father, said after the hearing at the sala of Judge Ester Veloso, the supporters who were waiting outside the Palace of Justice confronted them about Santos’ arrest and detention.

One of the supporters allegedly had a barbeque stick and attempted to stab him.  Fortunately, he was able to evade.

He told the supporters it was not him but the court that ordered Santos’ arrest.

Renante reported the incident to the Fuente Police Station and also asked for assistance from Cebu Provincial Police Office (CPPO) Director Patrocinio Comendador.

He said Comendador promised to provide them security escorts during hearings.

Renante said this was already the second time that they were harassed by Santos’ supporters.

Renante also said he will meet with Provincial Prosecutor Pepita Jane Petralba and the Children’s Legal Bureau (CLB) lawyers to discuss about the incident and their plans.

When sought for comment, Santos’ lawyer, Rameses Villagonzalo, said Renante was right in reporting the incident to the police.

He also urged Renante to file a case against those who harassed him.  Otherwise, everything was just a “sad stunt.”

Meanwhile, the scheduled pre-trial of the kidnapping with homicide case against Santos and her British boyfriend, Ian Charles Griffiths, yesterday was reset as the prosecution was not yet ready.

In an interview, Villagonzalo and Julius Caesar Entise said this is just one of the delaying tactics of the prosecution.

The defense counsels said they have been asking for the list of witnesses of the prosecution prior to the scheduled hearing.

It was only yesterday that the prosecution divulged their six witnesses namely; Josito Perez, SPO2 Marcelo Quibido, Anita Pulga, Pnp Socco, Renante Pique and a policeman who seized the vehicle.

State Prosecutor Jerome Abarca said they were not delaying the case.

In fact, he said they are on schedule. 

Santos and Griffiths, who remains at large, were the suspects in the kidnap- slay of grade one pupil Ellah Joy on February 8, 2011 while she was on her way home from school.

Ellah Joy was found dead the following day at a cliff in Barili town.  (FREEMAN)