Caretaker on CIDG raid: "I was nervous, I signed a paper without reading it"

CEBU, Philippines - In its opposition to quash the search warrant against Bella Ruby Santos, the woman linked to the probe on the death of Ellah Joy Pique, the Criminal Investigation and Detention Group (CIDG) used the signature of the house caretaker certifying that no one was hurt and nothing was lost during the operation.

But 49-year-old Rolando Arao said yesterday that he was nervous and was not thinking clearly at that time.

In an interview with reporters yesterday in Inayagan, Naga, Arao said he did not know what was stated in the paper that he signed during the search in the house of Santos on March 4, 2011.

He narrated that he was in his friends’ house, meters away from the house of Santos, when members of CIDG went to the house of Santos at 10 p.m.

The CIDG personnel went to the house of Santos after locating the SUV that was allegedly used to bring Ellah Joy to Barili. 

Arao said he learned from neighbors that there were members of CIDG who climbed at the gate to open it.

He said he immediately went to the house and asked the men why they were there and what they were doing.

Arao said the CIDG answered that they have a search warrant and want to search the house, as the house has many computers.

He added the CIDG only told him that they have search warrant but he did not see the warrant itself.

Arao said he opened the house and the CIDG started to search the house, getting an internet cord, USBs, hair and a portion of a bed sheet with blood stain.

He said the CIDG ordered him to open the door of the master’s room but he said he had no key. He claimed it was forcibly opened by the CIDG. Arao said some of the members of the CIDG were inside the house while some remained outside and searched the vehicle.

He said the CIDG ordered him to sign documents, which he immediately did even without reading.

“I was nervous and I cannot explain my feelings and emotions. I signed the paper without reading and asking what it was,” Arao said.

Arao added that the CIDG also got his fingerprints and he did not ask why. — (FREEMAN)