Pique family spends first Christmas without Ellah Joy

CEBU, Philippines - For the first time, the Pique family will celebrate Christmas and New Year without the eldest daughter Ellah Joy Pique.

Ellah Joy, six, was kidnapped last February 8, 2011 while on her way home from school. Her body was found in Barangay Guibuangan, Barili town the next day wrapped in white blankets together with big rocks tied with electric cable.

Witnesses have pointed to a Caucasian male and Filipina woman on board a sports utility vehicle as the suspects.

Ellah Joy’s father, Renante, told The FREEMAN they will visit Ellah Joy’s grave at the Pardo Public Cemetery on Christmas Day.

“Muduaw mi sa lubnganan ni Ellah Joy karong Pasko, nya dili tingali daghan kaayo amu handa,” he said.

Renante’s wish for his daughter is peace.

“Kun asa man gani siya gibutang sa Ginoo karon, hinaut unta nga magmalipayun siya og magmalinawun,” he said.

He said he hopes that his daughter will not have to worry about them as they were doing fine and moving forward.

Renante said they feel that they have already reached justice with the ongoing trial of the kidnapping and homicide case against Bella Ruby Santos and her boyfriend British National Ian Charles Griffiths.

“Total nana man ang hustiya og anam-anam na o haduol na namu makab-ot, nanghinaut ko nga magmalinawon na siya,” Renante said.

 (In fact justice has been there and we gradually or were in a distance to reach it, I hope she will be in peace), Pique said.

Autopsy on the child’s body showed she was not raped, but had several contusions on both arms. A lacerated wound on the head reportedly caused her death.

Santos is currently detained at the Naga City Jail. The case against her and Griffiths is pending before the sala of Regional Trial Court Judge Ester Veloso.

The Department of Justice (DOJ) is still working for the extradition of Griffiths.  (FREEMAN)