Ruby Rose's family dismayed over key witness’ decision to recant testimony

(Updated 7:35 p.m.) On the the sixth year commemoration of the death of Ruby Rose Barrameda, her family expressed dismay on Thursday over the recent decision of the key witness in the killing to recant his testimony.

 

Despite such development, however, they said they will not give up the fight to achieve justice for Ruby Rose.

 

GMA News' Mark Salazar reported on GMA News TV's Balitanghali that the victim's sister, former beauty queen and actress Rochelle Barrameda addressed a question to Manuel Montero, the key witness, asking him “magkaano raw ang benta niya sa prinsipyo niya?”

 

Barrameda made the statement during the sixth year commemoration of Ruby Rose’s death conducted at the Perpetual Help College in Las Piñas.

 

 

On Wednesday, it was reported that Montero submitted his four-page notice of withdrawal to the Malabon Regional Trial Court Branch 170 regarding his testimony on the killing of Ruby Rose.

 

Ruby Rose’s body was fished out of Navotas waters inside a cement-sealed steel container in 2009. She was reported missing in March 2007.

 

Montero had confessed that he was among those who were paid P50,000 each to kill Ruby Rose on March 12, 2007. He surrendered to the police on May 18, 2009 and led investigators to the location of Ruby Rose's remains.

 

However, it was noted that Montero in his withdrawal did not explain why he recanted his testimony.

 

The Balitanghali report also noted that Barrameda addressed the killers behind Ruby Rose’s death.

 

She said that despite Montero’s decision to recant what he knows, they should not rejoice yet because Barrameda’s family will continue their fight and will not surrender.

 

Barrameda’s mom echoed her sentiments, adding that they believe in the power of prayer and that they will not lose hope, while her father expressed great disappointment over Montero’s decision.

 

He said he treated Montero like a son, and that before the latter recanted his testimony, they had a promise that they will help each other.

 

After the Mass for Ruby Rose, the report said Perpetual Help College students came out with several placards making calls for justice. Montero had linked Manuel Jimenez Jr., Ruby Rose's father-in-law, and his younger brother and Navotas City shipping magnate Lope to the killing. Lope owns the Buena Suerte Jimenez Fishing and Trading Co., where the drum containing Ruby Rose's body was found. Ruby Rose's husband, Manuel Jimenez III, has been cleared of involvement in her death. Montero also linked four people — Eric Fernandez, Spike Discalzo, Rudy dela Cruz, and Robert Ponze — to the killing. — Gian C. Geronimo/RSJ/KBK, GMA News