CEBU, Philippines - A retired US serviceman reportedly has information of who are the real killers of six-year-old Ellah Joy Pique in Minglanilla.
Lawyer Rameses Villagonzalo, counsel for accused Bella Ruby Santos and her British boyfriend Ian Charles Griffiths, said that the retired US navy has already provided initial information to them.
Villagonzalo refused to divulge what information were given but said it gives them lead of who the real culprits are. He insisted that his clients are innocent of the crime alluded to them. Villagonzalo said his clients were just mistaken for a suspect.
According to Villagonzalo, the informant called them up and gave some information about the real suspects in the kidnapping and murder of Pique in February.
“We are gathering reliable witnesses to pin point the real suspects because my clients were innocent of the crime. As of now only the retired US navy who gave us some lead,” Villagonzalo said.
The informant called up following his announcement that the friends of Griffiths in the United Kingdom have raised P101,680.92 as reward for any one who can give information to find the real criminals.
Villagonzalo believes that the informant is not after of the reward money because he is a retired US serviceman.
“If our informant can point the real suspects then she or he can get the reward money and she or he will become a witness by each party,” he said.
The defense counsel is already planning to present Cebu Provincial Police Office (CPPO) director Patrocinio Comendador as hostile witness.
Villagonzalo said he will also present former CPPO director Erson Digal as one of their witnesses.
“We have already a line up of witnesses to be presented in court that includes Digal and Commendador,” he said.
Comendador said he will not appear in court unless he is issued a subpoena. He added that it is also too early to discuss about it because the two accused remain at large.
Comendador said they will work first for the arrest of Santos and Griffiths.
“First things first, the trial won’t start unless the suspects are arrested,” Comendador said. (FREEMAN)