MANILA, Philippines - A suspect-turned- witness in the murder of Ruby Rose Barrameda-Jimenez will undergo a drug test this week to disprove allegations by a defense witness that he and the victim were into illegal drugs and had an illicit sexual relationship.
Manuel Montero expressed his willingness to undergo a drug tests as soon as Eduardo Abiog, who works as a driver for fishing magnate and alleged mastermind Lope Jimenez, branded him and Ruby Rose as drug addicts.
Metro police chief Director Roberto Rosales said Montero will be tested at the crime laboratory of the Philippine National Police (PNP) in Camp Crame and the results will be out in several days.
Superintendent Leo Francisco, who heads the Metro Manila police’s regional police intelligence and operation unit, said Montero was initially shocked over the allegations made by Abiog, whom he considered to be a close friend.
In his initial statement on Ruby Rose’s murder, Montero said Abiog was the one who “chopped-chopped” the car that brought the victim to Navotas.
“But he (Montero) pleaded to me not to include Abiog in his statements, out of pity to him and his family,” said Francisco, adding that Montero has since changed his mind.
In a press briefing last week, Abiog said Montero had asked him a number of times to buy drugs from Ruby Rose at the JR Carwash in BF Homes, Parañaque City. He said the two were ecstasy users.
The body of Ruby Rose, sister of former actress and beauty queen Rochelle Barrameda, was fished out of Navotas waters encased in a cemented steel case, based on a tip from Montero. She had been missing since March 2007.
Ruby Rose’s family, meanwhile, called Abiog’s testimony a “desperate move” by the suspects, particularly Ruby Rose’s father-in-law, Manuel Jimenez Jr., and his brother, Lope.
“It’s all lies,” Rochelle said.
The Jimenez brothers, Montero and three others – Eric Fernandez, Lennard Descalso and Robert Ponce – are charged for the murder of Ruby Rose before the chamber of Judge Hector Almeyda of the Malabon regional trial court (RTC) Branch 170.
Earlier, Almeyda ordered the confinement of Manuel Jr. to the Philippine Heart Center and scheduled the hearing of his motion to post bail on Sept. 24.