Witnesses shun DOJ safe house

CEBU, Philippines - The six vital witnesses in the kidnapping with homicide case against Bella Ruby Santos and her British boyfriend Ian Charles Griffiths who are under provisional protection by the Department of Justice refused to be in the government safe house.

State prosecutor Llena Ipong-Avila, who is in-charge of the DOJ Witness Protection Program in Central Visayas, said the witnesses, including two minors, do not want to be separated from their family.

Avila said the two minors, aged 9 and 12, initially agreed to stay in the safe house but later withdrew saying they do not want to be away from their parents.

Avila, however, said she will continue to persuade them and the two other witnesses to stay in the safe house for their protection. The two others who are from Barili will just be given subsistence allowance and security detail.

The six witnesses were already granted provisional protection while waiting for the approval of their permanent protection from DOJ Manila. The provisional protection was given following reports that some of them have been offered cash to recant their affidavits.

The six are vital witnesses against Santos and Griffiths who were charged in the kidnapping and murder of six-year-old Ellah Joy Pique in February. Santos is already on trial while her boyfriend remained fugitive.

Pique was abducted outside her school in Calajo-an Minglanilla while on her way home. Her body was found in Barili a day after she was kidnapped. — (FREEMAN)