Eyewitness blinks, points new suspect

CEBU, Philippines - One of the eyewitnesses in the kidnapping of six-year-old Ellah Joy Pique has identified Bella Ruby Santos as the one who allegedly snatched the victim outside her school in Barangay Calajoan Minglanilla over a month ago.

The nine-year-old girl, who was one of three witnesses who earlier pointed to Norwegian national Sven Erik Berger and Cebuana girlfriend Karen Esdrelon as suspects in the kidnap-slay of Pique, said she was only influenced by the two other witnesses when they accused Berger and Esdrelon.

According to her, she knew it was not Berger and Esdrelon who kidnapped Pique but the two other witnesses forced her to point at them.

“Sa pagkakita nako, niana ko dili sila ang suspects pero gitukmod-tukmod man ko sa duha ka witness then ana sila mao lagi na, mao to niana ko mao nalang na sila,” the nine-year-old girl said.

Berger and Esdrelon were already exonerated from the criminal complaints for kidnapping with homicide after the Cebu Provincial Prosecutor’s Office dismissed the case.

But, the witness said she is already sure this time that it was Santos whom she saw that herded Pique to board the Pajero. According to the witness, she recognized Santos upon seeing her face on television.

The mother of the witness said, her daughter, upon seeing Santos on television told her that she was the one. 

 “Mao na sya ma, mao na sya ma ang nakit-an nako pagkidnap ni Ellah,” she recalled her daughter telling her while watching the news on television.

The witness said she recognized Santos because of the mole on her face and her sunglasses. Beth Rabaya, friend of Santos, said it is not true that her friend has a mole on the face.

“We know the Pique is seeking for justice, in fact we prayed for them,” Rabaya said. But, she urged the police authorities to ensure that the real culprits will be brought to justice and not the innocent people.

“We know it is injustice in the side of Pique but it is also injustice for the Santos family for pointing that Bella was the alleged suspect who kills Ellah,” Rabaya said.

The police have not officially named Santos and her British boyfriend Ian Griffiths as suspects in the crime. However, Santos’ Mitsubishi Pajero is currently in police custody because of suspicion that it was used in the kidnapping.

The police are still waiting for the results of the laboratory examinations on the evidence that they have gathered from the Pajero and the house of Santos in Barangay Inayagan, Naga.

Renante Pique, father of the victim, said he is hoping charges will be filed before the 40 days of his daughter on Saturday. (FREEMAN)