CA urged not to delay Ortega murder case

MANILA -- Sympathizers of the family of slain journalist and environmentalist Gerry Ortega staged a rally outside the Court of Appeals in Manila on Monday urging the tribunal not to withdraw the arrest warrants against politicians who are main suspects in the killing.

Led by Ortega's daughter Michaela and representatives from the National Union Journalist of the Philippines (NUJP), the protest came in the heels of unverified reports that former Palawan Governor Joel Reyes and Coron Mayor Mario Reyes are doing everything possible to get a favorable resolution from the CA.

The Reyes brothers, who have reportedly left for Vietnam last March 18, are the alleged masterminds in the murder of Gerry Ortega, a known critic of mining operations in Palawan.

Pending before the appellate court's 7th and 15th Divisions are motions seeking for temporary restraining order against murder charges against the Reyeses, respectively.

Also pending, in the 15th division, is a petition for certiorari, or judicial review, filed by Mario Reyes questioning the March 12 decision of the Department of Justice (DOJ) to file murder charges against him before the Puerto Princesa regional trial court.

The court, in turn, issued the arrest warrants after finding probable cause.

"We see no reasons why the CA should not validate the findings and uphold the case of DOJ against the fugitive brothers. We hope that the power and influence of fugitive brothers will not sway the men and women in CA to decide in favor of the controversial murder suspects," Michaela Ortega said.

She declined, however, to reply to text questions whether her family is satisfied with the government’s efforts to nab the Reyes brothers.

Last month, President Benigno Aquino III raised the reward money from P1.55 million to P2 million for information leading to the apprehension of Joel Reyes, who reportedly used a doctored passport under the name of Joseph Lim Pe to leave the Philippines. (Virgil Lopez/Sunnex)