Judge issues hold departure order for Bella Ruby Santos

CEBU, Philippines - Judge Ester Veloso of Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 6 issued a hold departure order against Bella Ruby Santos, one of the suspects in the kidnap-slay of six-year-old Ellah Joy Pique.

Santos is facing charges of kidnapping with homicide together with her boyfriend British national Ian Charles Griffiths.

Veloso, yesterday, granted the very urgent motion filed by the prosecution through Children’s Legal Bureau (CLB) asking for the issuance of a hold-departure order against Santos despite the objection of defense lawyer Rameses Villagonzalo.

Veloso also ordered that copies of hold departure order be furnished to the Bureau of Immigration (BI), Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and the Department of Justice (DOJ).

Villagonzalo argued that the basis of the prosecution in filing the said motion was based on speculations.

“In my knowledge the house and vehicle of Ms. Santos were never sold, the lot was covered by patent and Ms. Santos has two years more before she can sell it,” he said.

However, lawyer Jo-ann Saniel-Amit of the Children’s Legal Bureau (CLB), said based on the admission of Santos before the media that she sold her house into a businessman worth P6 million was enough evidence to apply for the issuance of a hold departure order.

Saniel-Amit added Santos is not anymore residing in her house at Barangay Inayagan, Naga City.

The judge asked Villagonzalo about the whereabouts of his client.

He said that Santos is still in Cebu, but he would not say exactly where she is.

Veloso said if Santos is innocent of the crime for kidnapping with homicide, she will surrender to the court as the warrant of arrest against her was already issued last Tuesday.

Villagonzalo said they will convince Santos to surrender but cannot assure the court that their client will immediately surrender as the case is non bailable.

Meanwhile, Veloso will hear the Omnibus motion filed by Villagonzalo on July 29 for the determination of the probable cause even if she said the motion was “rendered moot and academic.”

Veloso said there was already probable cause after she already issued a warrant of arrest against Santos and Griffiths last Tuesday but in order for due process, she will hear the said motion.

Villagonzalo argued that their motion will be heard claiming there was no probable cause in the resolution of the three-man panel.

“We received the copy of the warrant of arrest after we filed our Omnibus Motion and in fact there was no probable cause in the resolution of the three-man panel to indict my clients for kidnapping with homicide and this is supported by stenographic notes,” he said.

Villagonzalo said last Tuesday he sent a message to Santos that a warrant of arrest was issued against her. He said that Santos replied “ahaka oi! paita sad…”

Renante Pique, father of the victim, said he was happy with the development.

Serving The Warrant

   Saniel-Amit said they don’t know how to serve the warrant of arrest and bring back Griffiths in the Philippines.

But, said she thinks the police have coordinated with the police in the United Kingdom.

“We have no extradition treaty with U.K., we will have to discuss it first, what to do,” Saniel-Amit said.

Provincial Prosecutor Pepita Jane Petralba, however, said as the case was high profile the right office to conduct a negotiation to U.K. was the Department of Justice (DOJ).

Still In Phl

Sr. Supt. Patrocinio Comendador, head of the Task Force Ellah Joy, said that Santos is still in the country as confirmed by the Bureau of Immigration yesterday.

Comendador confirmed that there is no exit or entry record as reported by Atty. Cecille Mancao, of the Bureau of Immigration and Deportation- Central Visayas.

“The subject is not outside the country,” the police official said.

The police are not discounting the possibility that Santos might be using the back door to escape, but said that it would be hard for her to stay in one place.

If in case Santos really managed to slip out, Comendador said, the good relationship of the Philippines with other Asian countries would help them track her.

“Mao na ni dugay na nako siyang gihagit nga dili daganan ang kaso kay it only shows she’s guilty,” the provincial director said.

Police Regional Office 7 director Ager Ontog already directed all police units to do manhunt in order to serve the warrant to Santos.

However, the police do not have a time frame yet when they will arrest Santos since the operation is ongoing.

Superintendent Romano Cardiño, deputy of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) 7 told The Freeman that many concerned citizens are willing to give a cash reward to those who could give information that would lead to the arrest of Santos. — (FREEMAN)