Ellah Joy case: CIDG asks court to observe protocol in viewing USB files

CEBU, Philippines - The Criminal Investigation and Detective Group has manifested before the court that proper protocol should be followed in viewing the contents of the controversial USB files of Bella Ruby Santos, suspect in the kidnapping and murder of six-year-old Ellah Joy Pique.

Lawyer Inocencio dela Cerna, counsel for CIDG-7, filed the manifestation yesterday before the Regional Trial Court seeking to grant them temporary custody the USB files pending preliminary investigation.

Dela Cerna said they are interested to view the contents of the USB but proper protocol and safeguards should be followed in viewing it. Dela Cerna said they object to the viewing of the USB if the protocol will not be followed.

“The applicant respectfully insist that the said protocols will be followed in order to preserve and safeguard the original contents of the USB so as to do away the notion that it was already tampered by the CIDG,” the motion reads.

According to them, the protocol is to use the forensic expert’s laptop and not any other laptop or computer to view the files.

Dela Cerna said this is the “only way to prove and protect the authenticity of the electronic evidence before it is offered as evidence as required by the rules of electronic evidence.”

“For the primordial concern of the applicant herein is to preserve in its original state and safeguard the original contents of the USB for future use,” the motion reads further.

RTC Executive Judge Mienrado Paredes is looking for a panel of computer experts to facilitate the viewing of the files in the USB seized in Santos’ house in Barangay Inayagan, Naga City during a raid.

The viewing of the files has been postponed several times because of the absence of a court-appointed computer expert. Both parties preferred an independent I.T. expert to facilitate the viewing.

Santos earlier admitted that the USB contains files of her and her British boyfriend Ian Charles Griffiths having sex. Santos and Griffiths are facing criminal complaints for kidnapping with homicide before the Cebu Provincial Prosecutor’s Office. – (FREEMAN)