Ellah’s kidnap-murder turns 1 today

A YEAR ago today, a 6-year-old grade 1 pupil was kidnapped while walking with her classmates on the way home in Calajo-an, Minglanilla, southern Cebu.

The following day, her body was found dumped in a cliff in Guibuangan, Barili town, wrapped in a bedsheet and stuffed in a sack.

A year later the parents of Ellah Joy Pique, Renante and Perla Pique, as well as her parents and relatives said they won’t give up the fight for justice for her death.

Renante said the pain has not subsided even if it was already a year ago since he lost his daughter to a gruesome death.

“Lisud gihapon. Hangtud tibuok kinabuhi na ni ang kasakit (Life is still very difficult. This pain will last a lifetime),” Renante told Cebu Daily News.

At 9 a.m. today, Renante said they will offer prayers inside their residence in Minglanilla for Ellah Joy’s eternal repose.

Then he will go to Barili town early morning tomorrow to visit the place where Ellah Joy’s body was found by a farmer.

“Dili lang unta siya mabalaka kay okay ra mi diri. Malipayon na unta siya (I hope Ellah Joy won’t be worried. I hope she is happy where she is now),” Renante said.

Renante hopes for the resolution of the case against the suspects within the year.

Bella Ruby Santos and her British partner Ian Charles Griffiths are facing charges of kidnapping with homicide in relation to Ellah Joy’s death.

Santos was arrested last year in Metro Manila and is detained at the Naga City detention cell.

Griffiths, a 51-year-old accountant, on the other hand, is believed to be in the United Kingdom and is on the “red alert list” of the Interpol as a fugitive wanted for prosecution in the Philippines. Reporter ADOR VINCENT S. MAYOL