Prosecution presents ex-convict as witness

CEBU, Philippines - An ex-convict was presented yesterday by the prosecution panel as its third witness in the kidnapping with homicide case against Bella Ruby Santos and her British boyfriend Ian Charles Griffiths.

Private prosecutor Inocencio dela Cerna presented Harem Puerto, 51, a trisikad driver in Lower Calajoan, Minglanilla, to corroborate the testimonies of their first two witnesses.

Puerto said he was waiting for passengers near the Calajoan Barangay Hall which is adjacent to the Calajoan Elementary School in the afternoon of February 8 when a navy blue Pajero with gray silver stripes stopped in front of him.

Puerto said he saw a male foreigner and a Filipina on board because the vehicle’s windshield was transparent. He described the Filipina companion of the male foreigner to be dark-skinned, pretty and sporting a long hair.

 Puerto positively identified Santos to be the same woman he saw inside the Pajero in the afternoon that six-year-old Ellah Joy Pique was kidnapped.

He likewise identified Griffiths, through printed pictures on the bond paper, to be the foreigner with Santos in the car.

Defense counsel Rameses Villagonzalo however questioned the witness’ credibility by presenting evidence that he was an ex-convict. Villagonzalo was able to have Puerto admit before the court that he was earlier convicted in a drug-related case as well as illegal possession of firearm.

In fact, he applied for probation but was denied because he was not qualified for it. Puerto admitted he was convicted but said he had already served his sentence. He also said that when he executed his affidavit he was not under the influence of drugs.

Villagonzalo said he was thankful that the prosecution presented an ex-convict because it has boosted its chances to be allowed to post bail.

But prosecution lawyer Joan Saniel said the conviction of the witness did not destroy his testimony that Pique was kidnapped.  (FREEMAN)