Griffiths: I’m free, not under arrest

He may be implicated in a kidnap-murder case in Cebu but British national Ian Charles Griffiths is very much “liberated” in his home in Great Britian.

“I am not at large, my movements are not being monitored, nor do I report to police at regular intervals,” Griffiths said in a press statement given by his lawyer Rameses Villagonzalo yesterday.

Griffiths and Cebuana partner Bella Ruby Santos face kidnap-murder charges for the death of six-year-old Ellah Joy Pique two years ago.

Griffiths recounted that he was arrested and questioned about the case by Scotland Yard.

He said he spent 12 weeks on bail while Scotland yard coordinated with Cebu police on the case.

“At the end of that period, Scotland Yard concluded that there was no case to answer, released me from bail and returned all my properties,” Griffiths said.

Griffiths said he was happy knowing that Santos was released from jail after the court allowed her to post P500,000 bail.

But he said his happiness was short-lived because the case is still on going.

“If the prosecution case is as strong as some of its members repeatedly state, then why is it that I am living and working here in England and not held in a Cebuano jail?,” Griffiths said.

Last Tuesday, Santos stepped out of jail after 18 months imprisonment.

Regional Trial Court Judge Ester Veloso of Branch 6, earlier decided to grant the motion for bail filed by Santos’ lawyers.

The prosecution oppose the decision of the court and filed a motion for reconsideration. Yesterday, the pleading was heard in court.

During the proceedings, Judge Veloso scolded prosecution lawyer Inocencio dela Cerna after an inhibition plan was exposed by the counsel to the media.

Instead of April 29, the next hearing for the main case will be heard June 3.

Judge Veloso noted that the prosecution team need to augment their oral arguments.

Ellah Joy was kidnapped outside the Calaojan Elementary School in Mingalanilla on Feb. 8, 2011.

Her remains were found the following day at a ravine in Barili town, Cebu City.