Two more witnesses vs Pique suspects

CEBU, Philippines - Two more witnesses and the prosecution would be wrapping up its case in the kidnapping and homicide charges filed against Bella Ruby Santos.

Yesterday, the prosecution presenting Scene of the Crime Operatives (SOCO) photographer Bryan Brizo before the court in the kidnapping with homicide case filed against Bella Ruby Santos.

Santos and her boyfriend Ian Charles Griffiths, who is at large, were accused as behind the kidnap-slay of six-year-old Ellah Joy Pique in 2011. Pique was on her way home from school, when she was kidnapped.

In his testimony, Brizo affirmed that it was him who took the pictures (evidences) seized in the house of Santos in Tinaan, City of Naga, Cebu. The photographs were taken during the implementation of a search warrant on March 4, 2011.

In his cross examination, Brizo admitted that he has no personal knowledge of the case. He said he was with the team that implemented the search warrant just to take photographs.

He added that it was his superior who instructed him to take photographs of the evidences found in Santos’ house.

He said, though, that it was not him who printed the photographs which were offered as exhibits before the court.

After Brizo gave his testimony, the prosecution is left with just two more witnesses to present before resting its case against Santos.

According to court accounts, while Pique was on her way home on Feb. 8, 2011 when a woman on board a vehicle offered her a ride home.

The following day, Pique was found lifeless at the bottom of a cliff in Barili town several kilometers away.

Witnesses had said that they were heading home from a party when they saw Santos and a foreigner in the same area where the body of Pique was found.

The defense, however, insisted Santos and Griffiths, who is believed to be back in England, are innocent of the offenses they are being charged with. (FREEMAN)