Ellah Joy kidnap-slay Probe PNP, NBI start cooperation

CEBU, Philippines - To dispel public perception that the Philippine National Police and the National Bureau of Investigation are having a rivalry in the investigation into the kidnapping and murder of Ellah Joy Pique, top officials from the two agencies as well as from other law enforcement yesterday held their first joint meeting.

Police Regional Office-7 chief Ager Ontog said the joint meeting will stop speculations that law enforcement agencies in Cebu, especially the police and the NBI, are not cooperating with each other.

“Dati na naming unified ang investigation namin though informally nga lang. This meeting is to formalize ang dati nang coordination natin” Ontog explained when asked about their first meeting with the NBI.

“This is a united effort to investigate the case of the girl. From here on, our investigation will be one, we’ll be doing this together and we hope to solve the case as soon as possible,” Ontog added.

NBI-7 director Eduardo Villarta said they are continuing what they have started. It was the NBI that validated the whereabouts of Norwegian National Seven Erik Berger and his Cebuana fiancée Karen Esdrelon who were earlier charged by the police in connection with Pique’s kidnap-slay.

The NBI report was seen as the primary reason why the Cebu Provincial Prosecutor’s Office dismissed the case against Berger and Esdrelon.

Ontog said that aside from working with the NBI they are also seeking the help of the Interpol. Villarta and Ontog refused to give details what was discussed during their closed-door meeting.

Meanwhile, the legal counsel of Berger and Esdrelon has denied reports that the investigating prosecutors who dismissed the case against his client attended the victory party tendered by the couple in an uptown hotel.

“Di intawon na tinuod. I was there. Walay prosecutors ang niadto didto bisan usa wala gyud,” said lawyer Glen Villariza.

Rumors circulated yesterday that the prosecutors who dismissed the case against Berger and Esdrelon were seen partying with them Monday evening.

“Di gyud na tinuod. Istorya ra na,” Villariza stressed.

Villariza went to the Bureau of Immigration yesterday to check the requirements to extend Berger’s stay in the country.

Alien control officer Casimiro Madarang III told Villariza to bring his client to personally process the needed documents. According to Madarang, a 38-day extension is normally granted by them.

Berger and his girl friend were held in detention for 16 days after they were suspected in the kidnapping and murder of Pique.

Pique was abducted on February 8 in Calajoan, Minglanilla. She was later found dead at the foot of a ravine in Barili. — Niña G. Sumacot, Mitchelle L. Palaubsanon and Ria Mae Y. Booc/FPL (FREEMAN)