Gaining justice – thanks to many

Criminals, no matter how cunning, cannot escape the hands of justice. The case of Ruby Rose Barrameda Jimenez, the woman who was missing for more than two years and whose body was found by police authorities last June 10, stuffed inside a drum that was sealed in a cemented steel case, proves this.

The steel case was fished out of the waters of Navotas after a suspect in the murder of Ruby Rose—Manuel Montero—confessed to his involvement in the case and helped the police recover the body.

Montero’s confession led to the filing of murder charges against influential and cunning fishing magnate Lope Jimenez and his brother, lawyer Manuel Jimenez II, who is Ruby Rose’s father-in-law, before the Department of Justice (DOJ). Also charged with murder were Montero and four others. The family of Ruby Rose had also included her husband, Manuel Jimenez III, in the murder complaint.

Beauty queen-actress and victim’s sister Rochelle Barrameda thanked the many people who have been assisting them in the case. She singled out Interior and Local Government Secretary Ronnie Puno, who, unknown to many, has long been helping the Barramedas in their search for truth and justice.

“Kitang-kita ko po ang sincerity ni Secretary Puno sa pagtulong sa aming pamilya kaya po kami ay nagpapasalamat sa kanya,” Rochelle said during a televised press conference.

Rochelle recalled that Puno has been helping their family ever since she sought his assistance, through a common friend, in searching for Ruby Rose since 2007.

Following Rochelle’s personal appeal to the DILG secretary two years ago, it was learned that Puno mobilized the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) of the Philippine National Police (PNP) in looking for witnesses who could shed light on Ruby Rose’s whereabouts, with police probers searching as far as Bicol. But it was only after Montero came forward that the police found a solid lead that led to last June’s recovery of Ruby Rose’s body.

Rochelle said that she was heartened to learn that Puno is continuing to help her family now that they are faced with a much tougher and longer struggle, which is to put Ruby Rose’s murderers behind bars.