Hold-departure order, photos out for Bella

It’s not just the police that’s calling on homicide suspect Bella Ruby Santos to surrender.

Regional Trial Court Judge Ester Veloso of Branch 6 called on Santos to surface after approving the issuance of a hold-departure order on her to stop her from leaving the country.

The PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group in Central Visayas (CIDG-7) also said a private citizen offered a P100,000 reward for information on Santos’ whereabouts.

The court ordered her arrest last Tuesday. No bail was set but her lawyers are seeking reconsideration.

Yesterday’s court order and Santos’ photos will be furnished to the Bureau of Immigration and the Departments of Foreign Affairs and Justice.

“How can she prove her (Santos) innocence if she does not surrender to the jurisdiction of this court? If she keeps on hiding, she will be hiding all her life,” the judge said in open court.

Posters with photos of Santos described as “Wanted” for the crime were circulated by the police and put up in public places. Her face is already well recognized from news photos and video coverage of the case.

Santos and her British partner Ian Charles Griffiths were charged with the kidnap-homicide of 6-year-old Minglanilla pupil Ellah Joy Pique, whose remains were found in Barili town last Feb. 8.

Griffiths was placed under house arrest in Great Britain following his arrest last April.

Santos’ lawyer Rameses Villagonzalo said Santos is somewhere in Cebu but could not give her exact location.

“She is still pondering what to do,” the lawyer told the court.

CIDG-7 Supt. Romano Cardino, deputy chief, told Cebu Daily News a P100,000 reward would go to person who can give information leading to Santos’ whereabouts.

Cardino said the police are keeping the name of the person offering the reward for security reasons.

In a text message sent by Santos to Villagonzalo last Tuesday, the 35-year-old Cebuana expressed dismay over the issuance of the arrest warrant against her and Griffiths.

The judge asked Villagonzalo if Santos has plans to surrender since she didn’t confirm where she was.

“If she believes she is innocent, let her prove it to the court, not through the media or through you (defense counsel),” Judge Veloso said.

Villagonzalo said the best person to ask about the whereabouts of Santos is Senior Supt. Patrocinio Comendador, chief of the Cebu Provincial Police Office, who claimed to have been monitoring her.

Lawyer Joan Saniel of the Children Legal’s Bureau (CLB) said the hold-departure order will prevent Santos from leaving the country.

Ellah Joy’s father Renante challenged Santos to come out of hiding.

The defense said reports that Santos sold her Pajero vehicle and house were hearsay.

“But we will advise her to surrender. She couldn’t escape from the case,” Villagonzalo said.

Commendador said the BI informed police that they have no record of Santos taking a flight out of the country. /Ador Vincent Mayol and Chito Aragon with Correspondent Gabriel C. Bonjoc Chief of Reporters Doris C. Bongcac