Pique remains hopeful for justice

CEBU, Philippines - The family of kidnap-slay victim, Ellah Joy Pique, is holding a nine-day novena to commemorate the death anniversary of the school girl who was killed in 2011.

In an interview with The FREEMAN, Ellah Joy’s father, Renante, said the novena started last Friday and will end on Saturday (February 16, 2013).

After the novena, they will be offering a mass for their eldest child, Ellah Joy, who was then six years old when she was kidnapped on February 8 while on her way home from Calajo-an Elementary School. She was found dead down a ravine the following day in the town of Barili.

With Ellah Joy’s second death anniversary, Renante said they remain hopeful that they can get justice for their daughter.

“The pain remains in our hearts. It’s hard to forget the way she died. However, we are hopeful that justice will be served,” Pique said in Cebuano.

Today, they will not be visiting the grave of Ellah Joy in Pardo Cemetery but will do so right after the nine days novena.

Lawyer Inocencio dela Cerna, one of the counsels for the prosecution, said they remain hopeful as they seek justice for the little girl.

“In commemoration of the death anniversary of Ellah Joy, I state with firm conviction that the fire of the prosecution team is even burning brighter to see that justice be served,” dela Cerna said.

Meanwhile, Judge Ester Veloso of the Regional Trial Court Branch 6, held a meeting with the prosecution and the defense team just this week.

In the said meeting, defense lawyer Rameses Villagonzalo said the parties agreed that only one person was allowed to accompany each side. All others cannot enter the courthouse.

Dela Cerna, likewise, said they decided that for security reasons, only Mr. and Mrs. Pique and one companion, while accused Bella Ruby Santos and one companion, will be allowed in court during the hearings.

The meeting came after Pique was nearly stabbed by one of the alleged supporters of Santos outside the Palace of Justice.

For his part, Pique said the agreement of the parties was fine with him in order to lessen the noise inside the courtroom.

The court earlier reset the supposed pre-trial of the case after the prosecution was not yet ready.

Santos and her British boyfriend Ian Charles Griffiths, who remained at large, were charged for kidnapping with homicide. Santos is detained at Naga City Jail.  (FREEMAN)