Family stands behind murder suspect
By Dale G. Israel
Cebu Daily News
First Posted 12:53:00 02/03/2009
Filed Under: Crime and Law and Justice, Crime, Police, Family
Cebu City, Philippines - “We are hurting. We are (also) suffering.â€
So said the mother of murder suspect Jonelle Enfectana, whose case will be decided on by the Mandaue City Prosecutor's Office on Tuesday.
The Enfectana family, who requested local media to withhold their names, held a press conference to explain their side on Jonelle's predicament.
Jonelle was arrested last week by Mandaue police for allegedly masterminding the murder of call center agent Lynn Vi Ebarita.
“Wala gyud siya'y kalabutan, kay (She has no involvement, because) she is innocent. The whole family, our family believes her and we are supporting her,†Enfectana's mother said while wiping her tears.
Visibly upset, the mother said she and the family withheld their identities after receiving threats to their safety.
“I brought up all my children religiously, may kahadlok sa Ginoo (they have a fear of God),†she said.
Enfectana is facing a murder complaint for allegedly taking part in the killing of her close friend and co-worker Ebarita.
Ebarita was found dead inside room 309 of the Nikkei Garden Hotel in Barangay (village) Subangdaku, Mandaue City last month. Her body was found stashed inside a garbage bag.
The police were also looking for Enfectana’s companions — three men and a woman who were believed to be the ones who stabbed Ebarita.
The complaint case was filed by the Mandaue City Police Office (MCPO) last Friday but Mandaue City assistant prosecutor Bienvenido Mabanto was expected to come out with a decision on Tuesday.
Enfectana’s mother celebrated a bittersweet birthday last Sunday after receiving a text message from her daughter, whom she said “remained sweet and caring the way she knew her.â€
She said her daughter texted: “Mama Happy Birthday. I am sorry I cannot hug and kiss now. But I love you very much.â€
The mother was accompanied by Jonelle's Auntie Luz and her uncle during the press conference facilitated by former media personality Eric Pagar.
Pagar said a politician friend from Borongan town, Eastern Samar asked help in behalf of the family.
The unnamed politician is said to be a godmother of Jonnelle.
However, the Enfectana family denied that the politician was pressuring Mandaue City police in their investigation.
“God hears our prayers. If there is intervention, then it must be divine intervention because God heard our prayers. Maybe God is touching officials to help us. Then we cannot do anything if that is our answered prayers,†Aunt Luz told reporters.
Enfectana's mother said she raised her children to be God-fearing and capable of standing on their own.
“Kung kinsa man kadto ang nagbuhat. Manguwa na intawn kamo. Malouy intawn kamo sa innocente nako nga anak (Whoever committed the murder, please have mercy. Have pity on my innocent daughter),†the mother said.
She said Jonnelle was a choir member of their church in Borongan and went to Cebu to study.
She said Jonelle went home to Eastern Samar since they could not afford to pay for her education. She later returned to Cebu to find work and provide for her family and child.
When some reporters asked what their message was to Ebarita's family, the Enfectanas paused for 20 seconds before Aunt Luz replied: “I hope we can both pray. Together, (let us) be united in prayer on whatever the truth is to come out.â€
They said they are praying that the real killers be brought to justice.
The family said they will look for other legal options in the coming days.
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