The DNA test result conducted on the blood samples taken from the back compartment of Bella Ruby Santos’ Pajero have been sent by Camp Crame to Task Force Ellah Joy.
Defense lawyer Ronel Ubod said they received a letter from the Camp Crame confirming that the result of the test was already released to the task force.
However, law enforcers are tight-lipped about the result.
Senior Supt. Patrocinio Comendador, spokesperson of the task force, denied he receive a copy of the DNA test result.
“I was already informed (that the result is available) but I haven’t received (a copy). Nobody also said it’s negative, only experts can do that,” Comendador said.
Ubod said they will ask the court to compel the police to reveal the findings obtained from Santos’ belongings.
Based on Camp Crame’s response to a request by the defense, the result of the DNA test were “completed and sent” to the Cebu police last April 15, a month after the task force presented the bloodstains for examination.
“It’s been August but we still don’t know the result of the DNA test,” Ubod said.
Lawyer Inocencio dela Cerna, counsel of the task force, said the prosecution still has to evaluate whether to reveal the result of test.
With the testimonies of witnesses who positively identified Santos and Griffiths as the ones who abducted and threw the body of the 6-year old Ellah Joy Pique, Dela Cerna said they have sufficient evidence to prove the guilt of Santos and her British partner Ian Charles Griffiths.
Regardless of the test results, Dela Cerna said it still needs to undergo the “crucible of a full trial” and that Santos and Griffiths have to surrender or get arrested so they can be presented before Regional Trial Court Judge Ester Veloso of Branch 6.
“I assure everyone that if there is a result of the DNA test, it will be presented in court. But as of now, it’s still premature,” Dela Cerna said.
The court can only have jurisdiction over the accused after their arraignment.
“There has to be a trial. Of what use (is the DNA test result)? What if it’s negative? It does not mean Bella will be acquitted. In the same manner, if it’s positive, that is not an indication that Bella is guilty,” Dela Cerna explained.
In an earlier interview, defense lawyer Rameses Villagonzalo said they received a reliable information from Camp Crame that the test result was “negative.”
Santos and Griffiths are facing charges of kidnapping with homicide in relation to Ellah Joy’s death./reporter ador mayor with correspondent gabriel bonjoc