Nicole’s family cries for justice

MANILA, Philippines - A year after the death of seven-year-old Stephanie Nicole Ella, her family is still waiting for justice.

“Walang ebidensya, naghihintay pa kami ng hustisya. (There is no evidence, we are still waiting for justice),” the girl’s father Jay Ella said in a radio interview yesterday.

Stephanie Nicole was hit in the head by a stray bullet while watching fireworks outside their house on San Lorenzo Ruiz Street in Barangay 185 in Caloocan City on New Year’s Eve in 2013. The bullet was fired from a .45 caliber pistol. Nicole died in the hospital two days later.

The elder Ella said the police have arrested several suspects but their guns did not match the bullet that killed Nicole, forcing the police to release them.

He also said they have lost track of some of the witnesses, apparently due to the slow pace of justice.

Ella said the death of Nicole changed their lives forever. They no longer celebrate Christmas and New Year and they pass New Year’s Eve at his in-laws’ house in Las Piñas.

“Not in Caloocan where it’s dangerous,” he added.

He called on the public to celebrate the New Year safely.

Ella lamented that he is fast losing faith in the justice system.

He said agents of the Philippine National Police (PNP) Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) continue to coordinate with them as part of the continuing probe to get Nicole’s killer.

“Policemen from CIDG asked us if there was any information, but the witnesses no longer want to talk because of the delayed justice,” he added.

PNP officer-in-charge Deputy Director General Leonardo Espina called on the public to help the police monitor unscrupulous individuals who would fire guns and illegal firecrackers.

“Let us all be vigilant. The PNP leadership will work for the immediate dismissal of policemen who will indiscriminately fire guns during the New Year revelry. We will arrest and file charges against civilians who will do the same,” he added. “Let’s welcome the New Year safely.”

National Capital Region Police Office chief Director Carmelo Valmoria ordered yesterday the five district directors and 38 station commanders in the metropolis to arrest irresponsible persons involved in indiscriminate firing of guns during the New Year’s Eve revelry.

“We should put a stop to the never-ending story of people being hurt, hit or being killed by stray bullets mostly caused by drunk, irresponsible persons with loose firearms,” said Valmoria in his directive.

He said the police would remember Nicole on New Year’s Eve.

“We should be patient and resilient in patrolling the streets and operate against bearers of these loose firearms. Let’s be very aggressive on this,” he added.

Valmoria vowed there would be no more Ella-like case in New Year’s Eve revelry.

The PNP claimed that at least 12 persons were arrested as of Tuesday for indiscriminate firing of firearms all over the country.

Valmoria also downloaded personnel from the NCRPO’s units to the five police districts to help patrol the streets during New Year’s Eve and not only go hard against persons involved in indiscriminate firing but also arrest vendors of banned firecrackers.

Security guard arrested

A trigger-happy security guard who had one drink too many was arrested for indiscriminate firing early yesterday morning in Valenzuela City.

Valenzuela police chief Senior Superintendent Rhoderick Armamento said Joeman Elamparo, 32, of Interior Sabino compound, Maysan Road was nabbed after concerned citizens reported to the police that someone was firing a gun in Barangay Dalandanan. – With Non Alquitran, Mike Frialde, Rey Galupo, Sheila Crisostomo