ON her seventh birthday, the family of Ellah Joy Pique brought cake, spaghetti and roses to her grave at the Pardo Cemetery at past 3 p.m. yesterday.
The family’s bittersweet celebration was tempered by the news that their daughter’s kidnap-homicide case will be raffled off tomorrow.
It’s justice for her death that became their cause for living.
They offered a Mass for Ellah Joy held at the chapel inside the cemetery.
Her father Renante urged the culprits to apologize to Ellah Joy and the Lord for committing a serious mistake.
“Sakit kaayo ang iyang kamatayon. Lisud kaayo dawaton. (The way Ellah Joy died was so painful. It’s so hard to accept it),” said a teary-eyed Renante.
Ellah Joy was kidnapped outside the Calajo-an Elementary School in Minglanilla town last Feb. 8.
Her remains was found in a cliff in Barili, Cebu, a day after.
A seven-inch wound, which was allegedly hit by a hard object, was found on the girl’s head.
Her mother Ligaya wept while remembering Ellah Joy.
“Dili gyud nako madawat na nawala na siya. Di gyud ko kalimot (I could not accept that my daughter is gone. I couldn’t forget what happened to her),” Ligaya said.
Senior Supt. Patrocinio Comendador, Cebu Provincial Police Office chief, visited Ellah Joy’s grave with the family.
He promised the family that their task force will do their best to pin down the culprits responsible for her death.
“I felt pity for the family. I know how difficult it is to lose a loved one. We will try to solve the problem. At least, the wheels of justice are starting to move,” Comendador told reporters.
Ligaya and Renante have two remainng children aged 15 and 8.
Their youngest child, Ellah Joy, was supposed to be 7 years old yesterday.
The family usually celebrated the girl’s birthday at their grandmother’s home.
Ellah Joy and two of her cousins celebrate their birthdays together.
Her elder brother Francis said their lives wouldn’t be complete anymore.
“Gimingaw ko niya. Di na mi kompleto.Hinaut peaceful na siya karon, wala nay samok ((I miss Ellah Joy. Our family is no longer complete. I hope Ellah Joy already found peace. I hope she is no longer worried),” he said.
The suspects Bella Ruby Santos and British national Ian Charles Griffiths will be facing trial on charges of kidnapping with homicide.
On Monday, the case will be raffled to a judge who shall preside over the trial on the main case.