DOJ, Kaye kiss and make up

Government officials and Kaye Torres, daughter of slain actress Nida Blanca, have kissed and made up. They now intend to coordinate with each other to obtain the extradition of Blanca’s husband and the principal suspect in the case, Roger Lawrence Strunk, from the United States.

Justice Undersecretary Merceditas Gutierrez said Friday night that Torres went to the Department of Justice (DOJ) with her lawyer, former Sandiganbayan Justice Harriet Demetriou and sat down with DOJ officials in a meeting that lasted for several hours.

Gutierrez said officials of the DOJ and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) were present at the meeting, where all parties agreed to implement constant coordination with each other.

Gutierrez said they discussed the status of the case and several plans were being considered for the re-filing of the request for Strunk’s extradition.

"We had a productive discussion and we’re happy that we are now working for the return of Mr. Strunk," Gutierrez said.

She added that they assured Torres that she is welcome at the DOJ anytime she wants to get an update on the case.

"They agreed to work together and bring documents as well," Gutierrez said. "We are glad that there would be no more exchange of angry words between us."

The meeting ended, she added, with a round of beso-beso (cheek-kissing) between the DOJ staff, Torres and Demetriou.

After US Magistrate Gregory Hollows rejected the extradition request of the Philippine government on Nov. 12 due to "conflicting and inconsistent evidence," Demetriou and Torres lambasted the DOJ and NBI officials, demanding their resignation for sloppy work.

Gutierrez and NBI Director Reynaldo Wycoco defended their actions, expressing surprise over the US court decision. Gutierrez and Wycoco said they had been satisfied with the evidence they submitted to the US court, as had their American counterparts.

Gutierrez announced the government will re-file the case before another US court, with additional evidence.

She again asked Blanca’s family and friends to cooperate with the DOJ’s investigation to strengthen the case against Strunk. She also said many people who could shed light on the murder have failed to come out and execute their affidavits.

"We will do everything to gather new witnesses, new affidavits and documents to be submitted to the US court," Gutierrez said.

However, she said, gathering new evidence is not an admission that the evidence previously submitted to the California District Court was insufficient.

She added that US Justice Department officials have advised Philippine officials to re-file the case, rather than appeal Hollows’ decision. She said the government might finally get a favorable ruling on Strunk’s extradition if another court handles the case.

Blanca was found dead inside her car at the Atlanta Center parking area on the sixth floor of the apartment building in Greenhills, San Juan on Nov. 7, 2001. Her body bore 13 stab wounds.