NBI probes fingerprints of Barrameda slay suspect

MANILA, Philippines —The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) is processing the fingerprints of Victor Dueñas, who was arrested by police for his alleged involvement in the murder of Ruby Rose Barrameda in 2007.

Personnel of the Quezon City Police District (QCPD)’s Criminal Investigation and Detection Unit submitted on Wednesday the fingerprints to the NBI for examination to confirm if Dueñas and Lope Jimenez are the same person.

Former actress and beauty queen Rochelle Barrameda, whose sister Ruby Rose was murdered in 2007, earlier claimed that Dueñas is actually Jimenez.

Barrameda requested the NBI’s assistance for fingerprint analysis to verify her claim.

NBI Director Jaime Santiago said the bureau's Dactyloscopy Division would process the fingerprints provided by the QCPD, adding that results would be available within 48 hours.

Barrameda, who has been seeking justice for Ruby Rose for nearly two decades, expressed hope that the analysis would confirm her belief.

She said the fingerprint analysis could provide a critical breakthrough in her fight to prove the connection between Dueñas and Jimenez.

Ruby Rose disappeared in 2007. Her remains were discovered two years later, encased in concrete and submerged in the waters off Navotas.

Dueñas was arrested on Jan. 5 in Quezon City while allegedly paying two suspects involved in the kidnapping and murder of a businessman whose body was found in a shallow grave in San Jose del Monte, Bulacan.

He has denied he is Jimenez.