Defense panel to examine Ruby Rose slay evidence

MANILA, Philippines - Defense lawyers will examine today the pieces of evidence in the killing of Ruby Rose Barrameda-Jimenez, sister of former actress Rochelle Barrameda, at the Philippine National Police crime laboratory as part of an investigation by the Department of Justice (DOJ) of a complaint accusing her husband and his father and uncle of ordering her murder.

The DOJ panel of prosecutors led by Senior State Prosecutor Theodore Villanueva approved during a yesterday’s hearing a request by lawyers of Ruby Rose’s husband, Manuel “Third” Jimenez III, and his father Manuel II and uncle Lope to examine the evidence on which the Barrameda family’s complaint is based.

The Jimenezes’ lawyers, led by Mario Aguinaldo, wished to inspect the personal effects retrieved from the body of a woman recovered by police from the bottom of the Manila Bay last June 10 through a tip from suspect-turned-state witness Manuel Montero.

Aguinaldo argued that there was no conclusive test done to prove that it was Ruby Rose who was recovered by police near the property of Buena Suerte Jimenez Fishing and Trading Co. (BSJ), owned by the Jimenezes.

“Third believes that Ruby Rose is still alive,” he said during the hearing, citing a possibility that the body recovered and buried by the Barrameda family was not Ruby Rose.

He said the shirt found on the body would fit only a petite woman, and Ruby Rose was tall; and that there was a hole in the body’s chest, contradicting Montero’s testimony that Ruby Rose was strangled to death, not shot.

Aguinaldo also questioned why hemorrhages and fractured ribs in the body were not mentioned in the death certificate submitted with the complaint.

Rowena Guanzon, representing the Barramedas, opposed the examination of the evidence and wanted the case to be submitted for resolution, but the DOJ panel overruled her.

Four other respondents in the case – Eric Fernandez, Spyke Discalzo, Roberto Ponce and Rudy de la Cruz – also submitted counter affidavits and denied Montero’s allegation that he and the four respondents were paid P50,000 each to kill Ruby Rose two years ago.

He directly named Ruby Rose’s father-in-law and his brother as the ones who ordered him and four others to abduct and kill her.

He also alleged that the victim’s husband also had knowledge of the killing.

Meanwhile, the Samahan ng Kababaihan ng Navotas urged Justice Secretary Agnes Devanadera to investigate allegations that Montero raped his own daughter. – With Nestor Etolle