CAMP VICENTE LIM, Laguna – Murder suspect lawyer Manuel Jimenez Jr, father-in-law of Ruby Rose Barrameda-Jimenez surrendered at a police station in Angono, Rizal shortly after a warrant of arrest was issued against him Friday, officials said.
 
Superintendent Rommel Estolano, Angono police chief, said Jimenez arrived at their station and surrendered himself at 2:15 p.m. after presenting a copy of a warrant issued by Judge Hector Almeyda of Regional Trial Court Branch 170 in Malabon City.
 
The Department of Justice (DOJ) filed murder charges last August 24 before a Navotas regional trial court against Jimenez, Jr, a fishing magnate, and his brother Lope for the killing of Ruby Rose Barrameda-Jimenez, sister of former actress Rochelle Barrameda.
 
Aside from the Jimenez brothers who owns the Buena Suerte Jimenez Fishing and Trading Co. (BSJ), indicted also were Manuel Montero, who confessed to participating in the killing and testified for the Barrameda family. Other suspects included in the indictment are Eric Fernandez, Spyke Discalzo and Roberto Ponce.
 
However, the DOJ investigating panel cleared two other suspects in the murder: Manuel “Third” Jimenez III, Ruby Rose’s estranged husband; and Rudy de la Cruz.
 
Justice Secretary Agnes Devanadera earlier said investigating prosecutors, led by Senior State Prosecutor Theodore Villanueva, found probable cause to indict six of the suspects without bail, citing as main basis the testimony of Montero and pieces of evidence gathered by police.
 
In his affidavit, Montero confessed he was one of five killers allegedly paid P50,000 each to carry out the murder two years ago. He had directly named Ruby Rose’s father-in-law and his brother as the ones who ordered him and four others to abduct and kill her.
 
He also alleged that the victim’s husband also had knowledge of the killing.
 
Ruby Rose disappeared on March 14, 2007, after a bitter dispute with her estranged husband over the custody of their two young children.
 
Montero alleged that upon the Jimenezes’ orders, he and the other suspects strangled Ruby Rose and stuffed her body in a steel drum used in transporting diesel.
 
The drum was filled with cement then enclosed in a steel case. Montero said they then used a BSJ fishing vessel to throw the body into the water one nautical mile away from the Navotas fish port.
 
Last June 10, Montero helped police recover a body from the waters off the port, saying it was that of Ruby Rose.
 
Defense lawyers said forensic findings indicate the body is not Ruby Rose and that they believe she is still alive.
 
A few hours after his surrender, Jimenez was brought to Angono health office to undergo a medical check-up before placing him in custody.