Pique Case Gag order given on minor's testimony

CEBU, Philippines - Regional Trial Court Branch 6 Judge Ester Veloso issued a gag order on the testimony of the 12-year-old girl against Bella Ruby Santos, one of the suspects in the kidnapping with homicide case of Ellah Joy Pique, this according to both the prosecution and defense panels.

The lawyers of both sides also said yesterday’s proceedings went in their favor.

Earlier, Santos filed a motion to bail through her counsels Rameses Villagonzalo and Julius Ceasar Entise asking the court to give her consent to post bail.

Kidnapping with homicide is normally a non-bailable offense but the court can authorize an accused to bail.

Santos claimed the basis of her motion is the weak case of the prosecution and the court then ordered that the motion to bail will be heard.

More than 50 supporters of Santos went to the court yesterday, including her mother, relatives and neighbors who claimed that she was innocent of the crime.

They described Santos as well-behaved and easy to please. They added the allegations against Santos were all fabrications.

Santos and her British National boyfriend Ian Charles Griffiths are both suspects in the case based on the evidence gathered by Task Force Ellah Joy.

Witnesses said they saw a Filipina and a Caucasian man onboard on a vehicle take Ellah Joy last February 8. She was found dead a day later in Barili town.

The Department of Justice is still working for the extradition of Griffiths to the Philippines to face the charges against him. — (FREEMAN)