Ruby Rose murder probe hearing today

MANILA, Philippines - The investigation of the Department of Justice (DOJ) into the brutal killing of Ruby Rose Barrameda-Jimenez, sister of former actress Rochelle Barrameda, continues today, with her husband and his father and uncle expected to submit their defense against allegations that they were behind the murder.

Ruby Rose’s father-in-law, Manuel Jimenez II, and his brother and fishing magnate Lope Jimenez are required to submit their counter affidavits before the panel of prosecutors in response to the complaint filed by police last June 11 that named them as respondents.

Her husband, Manuel “Third” Jimenez III is also expected to answer the testimony of suspect-turned-state witness Manuel Montero that implicated him in the killing.

But lawyer Ferdinand Topacio, spokesman of the defense panel, has refused to confirm if they would submit the counter affidavits today.

Apart from the three Jimenezes and Montero, also tagged in the murder were Eric Fernandez, Spyke Discalzo, Roberto Ponce and Rudy de la Cruz.

In an earlier affidavit, Montero said Ruby Rose’s father-in-law and his brother paid him and four others P50,000 each to abduct and kill Ruby Rose two years ago.

In his supplemental affidavit, he alleged that the victim’s husband also had knowledge of the killing.

Montero recalled hearing a phone conversation between Discalzo and Third on March 15, 2007 after getting their payment.

He said he was with Discalzo when the latter called someone on his cell phone and said in Filipino, “Sir, I’m going home to Bataan first to bring money to my family. We already accomplished our mission last night, we already solved your problem and we have also already thrown it (body) away sir.”

Montero said he then asked Discalzo who he was talking to and the latter supposedly replied: “Third will give me a bonus because his problem’s fixed.”

Ruby Rose disappeared on March 14, 2007, after a bitter dispute with her estranged husband over the custody of their two young children.

With Montero’s guidance, police found her body last June 11 in the waters off Navotas, stuffed in a drum into which cement had been poured. The drum was then put in a steel case.