Gillamac: Pique case now an uphill struggle

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu Provincial Police Office director Noel Gillamac admits that reviving Ellah Joy Pique’s case would be an “uphill climb” following its dismissal by the court.

“This is an eye opener sa atoang mga police investigators. Kung naa man gani kaso nga ingon ani, dapat thorough ang investigation, dili i-shortcut, dili magdali-dali, para wala’y reason ang court to dismiss the case,” Gillamac said.

According to him, there really is a need for investigators to find a way to gather more witnesses and to rely more on forensic evidence.

“Makapanamin sad ‘ta, kay kung ang sala nga naa sa kapolisan ang gi-cite sa hukmanan, mas maayo nga kinahanglanon nga mangita ta’g paagi to gather more witnesses,” he said.

Right from the start, the case has been challenging, said Gillamac. He was not yet the director of the CPPO when the case was filed.

 “Two sets of suspects were presented and later on, na-dismiss pa ang kaso,” he added.

The CPPO director was referring to a Norwegian tourist and his Filipina partner who were first arrested. Charges were filed but were dismissed by prosecutors for insufficiency of evidence.

The second set of suspects included Bella Ruby Santos and her British boyfriend Ian Charles Griffiths. The kidnapping and murder charges filed against them were also dismissed for the same reason.

Gillamac said they can still review the case despite its dismissal, as he urged anyone who has knowledge about the case to show up and help the family of the six-year-old girl achieve justice.

Criminal Investigation and Detection Group-7 chief, Senior Superintendent Ritchie Posadas, has also committed to help CPPO open the case again. — (FREEMAN)