New witnesses coming out for Nicole, says lawyer

Stray bullet victim’s parents, pastor keep hopes up

stricter gun controls in the country.

On the day she was buried, her local church launched a signature campaign demanding justice for Nicole. The next day, President Aquino offered a P2-million reward for the killer’s arrest.

Roque said his services were sought by Jay Ella, the victim’s father, who remains hopeful that the still unidentified gunman will be brought to justice.

“They (the parents) are worried that the furor over the incident has died down and no progress in the investigation has been reported more than a month after Nicole’s death,” the lawyer added.

Roque, the Ella couple, and Pastor Renato Franco of Lord’s Flock parish in Malaria met with NBI Director Nonnatus Rojas to get an assurance from the bureau that its investigation into Nicole’s death hasn’t stopped.

“We’re still convinced that the case will be solved because there are still witnesses who will help us,” Jay Ella said.

Franco said the signature campaign initiated by his parish had gained the support of several politicians in and outside Caloocan.

He said it seeks justice not only for Nicole but for all victims of indiscriminate firing, longer prison terms for the offenders, and stiffer penalties for public officials and law enforcers who violate gun control laws.

The petition also opposes the practice of giving amnesty to unregistered gun owners or those whose licenses had expired, he said.

It also calls for stricter requirements for gun ownership and a limit on the number of guns that can be procured or carried even by government officials, Franco added.