Reward for Bella draws calls

FOLLOWING the Capitol’s announcement of a P300,00 reward, the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group in Central Visayas (CIDG-7) said scores of people gave information on the whereabouts of homicide suspect Bella Ruby Santos.

As of yesterday, CIDG-7 lead lawyer Inocencio dela Cerna said they already entertained 10 tipsters, who offered leads to the police to locate Santos, one of two primary suspects in the kidnap-slay of six-year-old student Ellah Joy Pique last Feb. 8.

“We are still verifying the leads. It’s difficult to conduct operations right away so we will take all raw information on Santos,” dela Cerna said.

He said all leads regarding Santos’ location are treated as confidential.

Dela Cerna reiterated his request for Santos to surrender.

“The best way for Santos to support her innocence is to surrender. If they (defense) have a good case, then go to trial,” he said.

Last Friday, Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia said the Capitol will give P300,000 in reward money to anyone who could give a lead on Santos’ whereabouts.

Policemen are also willing to give P50,000 so Santos will be arrested.

Cebu Daily News tried to contact Ellah Joy’s father Renante yesterday but he didn’t return the calls.

In an interview last week, Santos’ lawyer Rameses Villagonzalo said he has not communicated with the accused since they talked about donating goodies to fire victims in Carreta and Tejero in Cebu City last month.

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