Nicole’s dad launches movement for justice

MANILA, Philippines - The father of seven-year-old Stephanie Nicole Ella, who was killed by a stray bullet on New Year’s Eve, has launched a one-million signature campaign along with a Christian pastor, relatives and friends to seek justice for the girl.

Jay Ella, Lord’s Flock Sanctuary Pastor Renato Franco, and Nicole’s uncle Marvin Ella went to National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Nonnatus Caesar Rojas yesterday for an update on the case.

Sources at the NBI earlier said that the bureau has found a witness who may be able to identify the person who fired the gun.

Nicole was hit in the head as she was watching the fireworks display outside her home in Caloocan. She died a few days later.

Ella said they are not losing hope because Rojas assured them that the case would be resolved “as soon as possible.”

Franco said they are launching the campaign to gather one million signatures as part of a 10-point advocacy to strengthen the enforcement of gun laws.

“There are a lot of loose firearms in the Philippines,” said Franco. “These must be traced.”

Lawyer Harry Roque, who is also helping the Ella family, said he has witnesses who would be brought to the NBI possibly on Monday.

Roque wants the witness placed under the state’s protection progran.