Police picks up Bella's cousin for interrogation

CEBU, Philippines - Vital information on Bella Ruby Santos was discussed yesterday by a male cousin of hers who asked for anonymity in a talk with Senior Superintendent Patrocinio Comendador.

But defense lawyer Rameses Villagonzalo called Comendador’s move in directing his men to pick up Bella’s cousin from his house as unprofessional.

Comendador, head of the Task Force Ellah Joy, claimed that they are nearing the arrest of Santos. He refused to disclose more, only that some pieces of information they have were confirmed by the cousin.

Santos’ cousin was picked up by a team from the Cebu Provincial Police Office (CPPO) led by chief inspector George Ylanan early yesterday morning.

This prompted Marion Lalican, 40, older sister of Santos, to rush to the CPPO with her siblings. They were concerned why their cousin was invited to the headquarters.

Lalican explained that they were anxious on the arrival of the policemen who took their cousin from his house in barangay Inayagan.

“Kung dunay pangutana adtuon unta ngadto ug dili dad-on ngari ako lang giklaro kung dili ba na illegal ilang gibuhat,” Lalican explained. (They could have asked him questions in his house without need to take him to the headquarters. I am wondering whether what they did was legal.)

What frightened them most, she said, was that the police might salvage their cousin just like what they see on television shows.

“Nahadlok ra mi basin kuno unya prisohon ug i-salvage kay daghan ra bang nahitabo ana,” she said.

But Comendador explained to Lalican that her cousin was not threatened by the police or jailed. The CPPO does not even have a detention cell, he pointed out.

But for defense lawyer Rameses Villagonzalo, the move of Comendador’s men in taking Santos’ cousin to the CPPO was illegal.

 Villagonzalo added that it was a sign of cowardice and being oppressive.

 “I will challenge them, let them do it to the family of Ecleo if they can easily pick up any relative of Ecleo for interrogation,” he said.

 What Comendador did has belittled the family of Santos, he added. — Ria Mae Y. Booc and Mylen P. Manto /JPM (THE FREEMAN)