Spokesman: DFA cannot yet monitor Ramona's movements in Turkey

Without a formal order from the court, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) cannot yet monitor the movements or bring home to the Philippines the half-sister of Sen. Ramon Revilla Jr. — Ramona Bautista — who was tagged in her brother Ramgen Revilla's murder in October. In an interview over radio dzRH on Monday, DFA spokesman Raul Hernandez said no formal request has been submitted to locate Bautista in Turkey or check her movements there. "As of now wala pang request na natatanggap, ayaw namin gumawa ng aksyon based on declarations made througn media. Maghihintay tayo hanggang makatanggap tayo ng formal request," Hernandez said in an interview on dzRH radio. He said the formal request can be made via courts or possibly a formal request from the Department of Justice (DOJ). Once the DFA receives such a request, it will notify the Philippine embassies concerned, and cancel Ramona's passport. Hernandez said the DFA can even ask the International Police Organization (Interpol) for help, once it gets the proper documents and request. Hernandez explained, "Wala tayong extradition treaty with Turkey. Talagang dapat gamitin ang mechanism ng Interpol, through mechanism of Interpol with warrants of arrest maari sila gumawa ng aksyon para sa anumang kahilingan natin especially on the basis of reciprocity, kung meron silang kaso sa ating bansa." Hernandez said the DFA can also send a note verbale to the Turkish Ambassador to the Philippines seeking "legal assistance on the basis of reciprocity." For now, he said the DFA is taking a "wait-and-see attitude." The police had tagged Ramona in the fatal stabbing and shooting of her brother Ramgen in his Parañaque house last October 28. However, Ramona left the country Friday night, taking a flight for Hong Kong and then to Turkey. Senator Revilla, her half-brother, appealed to authorities including the DFA to help bring her back to the country to face justice. - VVP, GMA News