Girl, 6, murdered

[fred]

this is very very bad...I can only pray for the poor little girl.

First thing I will prey for is that the little girl and her family receive Justice..
The way the police are handling this case,it l ooks pretty doubtful.
Fortunately the NBI might have different ideas and seem at present to be doing a good job...However..From the wasted time the PNP have spent on trying to implicate this Norwegian man and his fiance it looks like the NBI`s investigation could be severely compromised..
Time will tell..
In the mean time I will be double checking that my kids will not be let out by security guards till I pick them up!!
Onli in di Pilipins!!

[Sim11UK]

Another scary dose of reality, in the Philippine justice system...Just get a conviction, not to worry if it's the wrong person, case closed...next.

No justice for any party.

[keithAngel]

This is very big news here in cebu the expats are every thing from outraged to terrified about the way its being handled

Particularly good was one of the bosses saying that their documentary alibi including testimony from the norweigan language school the resturant and there return captured on cctv at the waterfront hotel didnt give any credence compared to three child eyewitness

Speculation is that you could have been having dinner with the chief of police here at the time of the offence and you would still be charged

[scott&ligaya]

this is very scary for any foriegner living in the Phils, lazy and corrupt policemen and and a complte disregard for human rights and logic for that matter. Note to self.. make sure we continue to invite the mayors and the chief of polices wives to my mahals cosmetic parties. In Puerto Pirncesa every six months or so an expat gets hauled up on some trumped up charge including rape!!! Just need to stay away from any kind of situation which may be open to interpretation as it were.. and get to know the local worthies.. very important. My son is just three.. in fact today Happy birthday Joshua!!! and he attends a local Montessori nursery, he has a full ID badge with pics on the back of who can collect him, they are very strict and will not let him out if you are not on there. Since gong there my wife has a great group of local ladies (other mums) who are very well connected and we do feel safer if anything untoward should happen.

Back to this case, I fear that the real killers will not be found but hopefully in the light of the NBI evidence and even the Governer seems keen to get at the truth (big credit toi her) I am sure the Norwegian and his Filipina partner willl be freed.

[keithAngel]

She was equaly keen earlier in the week to be seen with the "witnesses"

[David House]

Our house in Cebu is about 500 metres away from the school where Ella Joy was abducted. We drive past every day and have been closely following this story. Last week we were in both the Minglanilla and Talisay police stations making reports on suspicious activities we had witnessed, which may, or may not be, related.

Most of the ex pats living here knew they had held the wrong man immediately, as he has a cast iron alibi. He is still being held, after a spell in hospital, interventions by the Governor and a failed writ to get him released. He may be offered bail, but intends to refuse as he has committed no crime. It is now generally accepted that he will be released on Wednesday.

The problem is that in the meantime there appears to be very little activity going on to try to find the actual killers, who by now are probably half a world away. Many local people continue to believe that the police have done a great job in finding the killers so quickly and are going to be very angry when they are released on what most will feel is a "technicality". When you know that 300,000 pesos reward money is on offer to those who help secure a conviction you can understand why some kids might be encouraged to point their fingers!

Many of us are now feeling more than a little nervous as well as distressed that the little girl will not receive justice.

There are lessons for anyone either living or visiting the Philippines. You really cannot expect the same standards of justice here and need to watch your back all the time.

[fred]

You need to be worried..Personally I would not want to be in Cebu when they are released and it all kicks off..
Having said that I hear there was a a peaceful vigil outside the prison by concerned locals??
what was that about??

[keithAngel]

For this type of crime I find it strange and self defeating to offer rewards its not the same as an armed robbery and evidently leads to less than reliable reports The police dont appear capable to follow up the obvious things to do in this investigation if thats the right adjective