Ellah Joy’s death haunts father

Wednesday, February 8, 2012

ONE year ago today, six-year-old schoolgirl Ellah Joy Pique was abducted outside her school in Minglanilla town, south of Cebu City.

The following day, her body—wrapped in white cloth and tied with wires—was found dumped at the foot of a cliff in Barili town.

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The victim’s father, Renante, recalled his reaction when told about the body of a young girl discovered by local villagers.

“Dili ra gyud unta siya (I hoped it wasn’t her),” Renante recalled.

Even now, Renante said he could not believe the tragic attack happened to his daughter.

And if he were to make a new calendar, he would erase the eighth and ninth days of February to get over the death of his daughter.

Nevertheless, Renante believes that the wheels of justice are grinding fast for his child.

Arrest

Bella Ruby Santos was arrested after witnesses identified her as the one who allegedly abducted Ellah Joy outside her school in Barangay Calajoan. The Cebuana’s co-accused British boyfriend, Ian Charles Griffiths, is still at large.

Before Santos and Griffiths were tagged as suspects, authorities encountered several hitches in cracking the case.

Days after the incident, the police arrested and charged a Norwegian tourist and his Filipina partner for the child’s death, but the government prosecutors later dismissed the charges against them for insufficiency of evidence.

The prosecutors ruled the complaint lacked basis after an investigation by the National Bureau of Investigation.

Weeks later, the provincial police nabbed Griffiths and Santos as suspects in the Pique case.

Charged

They were subsequently charged with kidnapping with homicide, which is now pending before the Regional Trial Court Branch 6.

The couple denied the allegations.

Santos is detained at the Naga City Jail, while her boyfriend, Griffiths, is still free, as the Philippine Government does not have an extradition agreement with the British Government.

The Department of Justice has sent a formal request to the British Government to bring Griffiths in the country to face her trial.

However, Cebu Provincial Prosecutor Jane Petralba, in an interview, said the Justice Department has yet to receive word from the British Government regarding their request.

Despite that, Petralba said the prosecution panel and the Children’s Legal Bureau, which acts as a private prosecutor, are constantly in dialogue to map out preparations.

Judge Ester Veloso is presently tackling the defense panel’s bid to allow Santos to post bail.

During the Jan. 30 hearing, a prosecution witness pointed to Santos as the companion of the foreigner who abducted the girl outside her school in February last year.

Hearing on bail

The hearing on the bail motion will resume on Feb. 13.

Prosecutor Petralba said the prosecution intends to present at least 10 witnesses to convince the court that Santos should not be allowed to post bail.

Defense counsel Rameses Villagonzalo expressed his confidence that their bail motion will be granted.

“Then, we anticipate an acquittal. We hope the police can find the real culprits because Bella and Ian are mere fall guys,” Villagonzalo said.

Interviewed by phone yesterday, Renante said they are satisfied with the way the prosecution is handling the case.

Renante also wishes that the provincial lawmakers will draft and enact effective measures to protect women and children from violence.

Starting today, a nine-day prayer vigil will be conducted at the Pique’s house in Calajoan. On Thursday next week, the family will go to the Pardo Cemetery in Cebu City and will offer a mass, Renante said.

He will go to Barili tomorrow to offer flowers and candles on the site where Ellah Joy was found.

Keeping busy

Renante said he often keeps himself busy to avoid thoughts of the tragedy.

“Akong likayan nga di ko maginusara aron di ko makahinumdom niya (I try not to be alone because I would remember my daughter),” said Renante. “Kon wa koy trabaho, mag suroy-suroy ko sa crowded nga area (When I’m on day off, I would go to a crowded area).”

Renante admitted that he has moved on, but he is bothered each time the image of her dead daughter recurs in his mind.

“Sa tibuok kinabuhi na man ni dala-dalaon siguro (Perhaps, I’ll carry this pain for the rest of my life),” said Renante, who will also have to go through the rigors of the court trial as he seeks justice for her death.

“Ang hustisya di lang unta tantong madugay (I hope justice will not be delayed),” said Renante.