DNA test results turn negative in Bella’s items
DNA test results of items owned by kidnap-homicide suspect Bella Ruby Santos showed no traces of bloodstains from slain kidnap victim Ellah Joy Pique.
The disclosure of the DNA test results by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group in Central Visayas (CIDG-7) caused Santos’ lawyer Rameses Villagonzalo to declare that the case against his client will be dismissed soon.
But Senior Supt. Jose Pante, CIDG-7 chief, said it wouldn’t affect the case.
“We rely more on the testimony of the witnesses,” Pante told Cebu Daily News.
The DNA test results on two items seized by police confirmed that the dead body found in Barili town was that of 6-year-old Ellah Joy.
The two items, a yellow- blanket and yellow comforter, were used to cover Ellah Joy’s remains.
Still, Villagonzalo said the results only showed the failure of the prosecution to prove the guilt of his client.
“The suppression of evidence by the prosecution is over. The truth has come out. Their efforts to mislead the public is finished,” he said.
Villagonzalo said the prosecution is only giving false hope to the Pique family, who blamed Santos and her British partner Ian Charles Griffiths of being responsible for their daughter’s death.
CIDG-7 lawyer Inocencio dela Cerna said the DNA test results didn’t specify that the stains in the blanket and bed sheets weren’t blood.
He said the results only showed that the items tested negative for DNA.
