British police freed Griffiths last June 28

[Maria B]

British police freed Griffiths last June 28
By Gerome M. Dalipe and Kevin A. Lagunda
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
BRITISH national Ian Charles Griffiths was released by the United Kingdom (UK) authorities from police bail commitment last June 28, or 13 days before a Cebu City judge issued an arrest warrant against him and his Filipina girlfriend.
In a letter to Supt. Louie Oppus, deputy director for operations of the Police Regional Office 7, the London Metropolitan Police Service said it freed Griffiths, who was indicted along with partner Bella Ruby Santos for the death of Ellah Joy Pique.
“This means that Mr. Griffiths is now free to leave the UK should he wish to do so,” said Andrew Chalmers, detective inspector of the UK’s Homicide and Serious Crime Command.
Santos remains at large.
Apart from releasing Griffiths, Chalmers said the metropolitan police also stopped “all investigative activity” into the kidnapping and murder of the six-year-old schoolgirl.
Involvement
Griffiths, 48, of Southwest London, and his 35-year-old girlfriend Santos are facing arrest for their alleged involvement in the abduction and murder of Ellah Joy last Feb. 8.
The Cebu prosecutors elevated the case to the Regional Trial Court (RTC) last March 4. Judge Ester Veloso, who is trying the case, issued the arrest warrant against the couple and a hold departure order (HDO) against Santos.
Local authorities have informed the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) about the arrest warrant against Griffiths.
As this developed, the mother of a former suspect in Ellah Joy’s death defended the move of her daughter and the latter’s Norwegian boyfriend to file a P120-millon damage suit against three police officials.
“We are just seeking justice,” Josephine Esderlon said in Cebuano.
Her daughter Karen and Sven Erik Berger filed criminal and administrative complaints against former Cebu Provincial Police (CPPO) director Senior Supt. Erson Digal, Senior Insp. Rubin Cuizon and Insp. Lamberto Hibaya before the Office of Ombudsman.
“The shame is too much for us to bear,” Josephine said in a phone interview. “We are not harassing the police officers.”
Probable cause
Meanwhile, the counsels for Esdrelon and Griffiths have asked Judge Veloso, presiding judge of the RTC Branch 6, to conduct judicial determination of probable cause.
They also argued that the trial court has no jurisdiction over Griffiths, so the arrest warrant against the British national should be recalled.
Judge Veloso will tackle the motion on July 28.
Cebu Provincial Prosecutor Jane Petralba yesterday said they will formally ask the Department of Justice to hold a “high-profile negotiation” with the British Government to extradite Griffiths to face trial in Cebu.
Letter
In the letter dated June 28, London detective inspector Chalmers said Griffiths was nabbed by the UK Crime Enforcement Agencies for the killing of Ellah Joy.
Chalmers assured Philippine investigators that UK authorities will remain committed to assist the local police in the probe.
“Once a formal request for international assistance has been accepted by the UK Judiciary, then the Metropolitan Police Service will take all authorized steps to facilitate your investigation,” said Chalmers.
Ellah Joy was abducted outside her school in Barangay Calajoan, Minglanilla last Feb. 8. Her body was found the next day at the foot of a cliff in Barili.
Published in the Sun.Star Cebu newspaper on July 26, 2011.

[Bluebirdjones]

This newspaper report is so rubbish and biased.

The headline, British police freed Griffiths last June 28 gives the impression that Griffiths was held in prison, but this is far from the case. He was on police bail… ie had surrendered his passport & was reporting to a police station at regular times.

This was (I assume) initially in the first case, because the Filipino authorities had labelled him a suspect, and wanted him held… while they produced further evidence & an extradition request.

This means that Mr. Griffiths is now free to leave the UK should he wish to do so,” said Andrew Chalmers, detective inspector of the UK’s Homicide and Serious Crime Command.
This seems to indicate that no such evidence has been produced, nor extradition papers set in motion.

In the letter dated June 28, London detective inspector Chalmers said Griffiths was nabbed by the UK Crime Enforcement Agencies for the killing of Ellah Joy. ….there is no way that the Ldn Detective Inspector would have said that. He was “arrested” on behalf of the Filipino police while further enquiries were being conducted.

As (it seems) no further evidence has been supply to the UK authorities, they’ve had no option but to rescind his bail conditions….. ie, he’s a free man to come & go where or when he pleases.

Cebu Provincial Prosecutor Jane Petralba yesterday said they will formally ask the Department of Justice to hold a “high-profile negotiation” with the British Government to extradite Griffiths to face trial in Cebu.
Again, this is so poor reporting. To extradite anyone from the UK needs evidence of a crime presented to a judge, and if he thinks that the evidence is strong or compelling, only then is an extradition warrant granted. Look at the recent case regarding Shrien Dewani and the honeymoon killing in South Africa.

This report comes across as very negative of the UK police…..as if the Flipino police are trying to blame others for their amateur handling of the case.

And… in the meantime ….. Santos remains at large ….. why, if she’s a prime suspect ?

[Tawi2]

as if the Flipino police are trying to blame others for their amateur handling of the case.

I have relatives who are quite high-up in the PNP,keystone cops springs to mind Law unto themselves to be honest I sometimes think if your accused of a crime in Pinas and your skin colour is white thats enough to pin a GUILTY tag on you till someone somewhere can extract a few quid from the incarcerated puti

[grahamw48]

Yes indeed, the PNP (or whoever is handling it) have made a total ballsup of this case right from the beginning, which is a shame, because the poor murdered child deserves better.

A good thing we have slightly higher standards here, and evidently the UK police have smelled a very large rat.