Update: Rochelle Barrameda Identifies Remains of Sister Ruby Rose

On Jun 10, the two-year search for Rochelle Barrameda's sister Ruby Rose ended when her remains were recovered inside a drum sealed inside a cemented steel case at the Navotas Fish Port.

Rochelle had confirmed that the remains were her sister’s, based on the earrings and the clothes recovered. Superintendent Elma Galero of the National Police’s Crime Laboratory affirmed Rochelle’s statement and said the victim’s dental records matched Ruby Rose’s.

Authorities were able to locate the steel case through a tip from an informant, Rochelle said in Thursday’s radio interview. She added that the informant admitted to being "one of those who took part in cementing the case."

Ruby Rose's remains now lie at the Manila Memorial Park in Sucat, Parañaque, Rochelle said.

Who is the mastermind?

Asked who could be behind her sister’s killing, Rochelle pointed to Ruby Rose’s husband, Manuel Jimenez III, father-in-law, Manuel Jimenez Jr., and Manuel III’s uncle who owns the Buena Suerte Jimenez fishing company in Navotas City.

"Nagkaroon kami ng lead na ang may kagagaawan nito ay si Atty. Manuel Jimenez Jr., Manuel Jimenez III, and kasama rin dito ‘yong uncle niya na may-ari ng Buena Suerte Jimenez sa Navotas. Doon ginawa at doon din itinapon," she said.

Rochelle said her sister confessed to having marital problems and that Manuel III even threatened to kill her.

"Sinaktan siya (Ruby Rose). Sinabi na papatayin siya. Na-witness ‘yon ng anak nila," she said.

Ruby Rose then asked a local court for a temporary protection order but her bid to secure the order was dismissed, Rochelle added.

Rochelle recounted that over the last two years, the Barramedas had repeatedly asked the Jimenez family for help in locating Ruby Rose, but "they never wanted to talk to us."

The Jimenez family, through their legal counsel, denied involvement in Ruby Rose’s killing, much less having any motive behind her death.

"Walang dahilan para i-utos [There is no reason to have her killed]," said laywer Mario Aguinaldo.

Aguinaldo explained that the Jimenezes even wanted Ruby Rose alive because there is an ongoing child custody case between her and Manuel III. "We (Jimenez) are even winning the case," Aguinaldo added.

Rochelle Barrameda's Sis Is Finally Found

Former beauty queen and actress Rochelle Barrameda on Wednesday, June 10, confirmed that the remains found inside a cemented steel case in Navotas City was that of her sister Ruby Rose’s. Barrameda based her confirmation from the clothes worn by the body.

The recovery had officially ended the family’s two year search for Ruby Rose. The police would have to match first the remains’ dental records with the ones submitted to them by the family.

Members of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) found Ruby Rose’s body following a tip from an informant. The victim has been missing since May 2007.

“Sa imbestigasyon namin sinabi niya [informant] na isang babae ang nasa loob n’yan at hanggang ngayon ay iniimbestigahan namin. Para kami makasigurado isinabmit namin sa crime lab [para] magka-meron sila forensic analysis."

Barrameda got emotional when she first saw the cemented steel case at the police crime laboratory. “Hindi makatao. Inilagay na sa drum… hindi ka pa nakontento sinemento mo pa."

Barrameda’s family suspected that Ruby Rose’s husband, Manuel Jimenez III, had something to do with the killing.

“Ang kapal-kapal ng mukha ninyo para sabihin nyo na wala kayong alam. Ang kapal ng mukha niyo. Sana kung ano man ang nararamdaman naming, maramdaman niyo rin, maramdaman ng pamilya nyo," she added.

The report said Jimenez’s counsel denied Barrameda’s presumption.

The lawyer, whom the report did not name, said his client could not be charged in court based on a mere suspicion.