DOJ concludes Ruby Rose slay probe

MANILA, Philippines - Department of Justice (DOJ) prosecutors concluded yesterday the preliminary investigation into the alleged participation in the killing of Ruby Rose Barrameda-Jimenez of her estranged husband, her father-in-law, her husband’s uncle, and four others.

Senior State Prosecutor Theodore Villanueva and a panel of prosecutors moved to submit for resolution the murder complaint against Ruby Rose’s estranged husband, Manuel “Third” Jimenez III, his father Manuel II; and his uncle, Lope; and four others.

The prosecutors denied a motion by defense counsels, led by Mario Aguinaldo, to examine the clothes found with a body contained in a steel drum fished out of Manila Bay last June 10.

Justice Secretary Agnes Devanadera has extended the validity of the immigration watchlist against the respondents “unless sooner terminated.”

In earlier hearings, defense lawyers raised the possibility that Ruby Rose was still alive. Aguinaldo said no conclusive test was done to prove that Ruby Rose’s body was the one recovered by police near the property of Buena Suerte Jimenez Fishing and Trading Co., owned by the Jimenezes.

The size of the shirt worn by the recovered body would fit only a petite woman and Ruby Rose was a tall woman, he said.

Aguinaldo said based on the testimony of suspect-turned-witness Manuel Montero, Ruby Rose was not shot but strangled to death, and the body found in Manila Bay had a bullet hole in the chest.

Private prosecutor Rowena Guanzon opposed the examination of the pieces of evidence and wanted the case submitted for resolution immediately. However, the government prosecutors overruled her objection.

The other respondents in the murder case – Eric Fernandez, Spyke Discalzo, Roberto Ponce and Rudy de la Cruz – also submitted their counter affidavits and denied the murder allegation.     – Edu Punay