Remulla: DOJ to pursue case vs. former Palawan governor Joel Reyes | ABS-CBN
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Remulla: DOJ to pursue case vs. former Palawan governor Joel Reyes
Remulla: DOJ to pursue case vs. former Palawan governor Joel Reyes
Policemen escort Joel Reyes (2nd right) and his brother Mario Reyes (not shown) as they arrive at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport. The two, wanted over the murder of environmentalist and journalist, Gerry Ortega, in 2011 were been arrested in Thailand after more than three years on the run. Noel Celis, AFP/File
Policemen escort Joel Reyes (2nd right) and his brother Mario Reyes (not shown) as they arrive at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport. The two, wanted over the murder of environmentalist and journalist, Gerry Ortega, in 2011 were been arrested in Thailand after more than three years on the run. Noel Celis, AFP/FileMANILA — Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said on Thursday prosecutors will revive the case against former Palawan Governor Joel Reyes, following his surrender.
MANILA — Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said on Thursday prosecutors will revive the case against former Palawan Governor Joel Reyes, following his surrender.
"Pupursue namin ng prosecution. Kasi hindi naman itutuloy yan kung wala siya," he told reporters.
"Pupursue namin ng prosecution. Kasi hindi naman itutuloy yan kung wala siya," he told reporters.
Reyes was tagged as the mastermind behind the murder of environmentalist Gerry Ortega in Puerto Princesa in January 2011.
Reyes was tagged as the mastermind behind the murder of environmentalist Gerry Ortega in Puerto Princesa in January 2011.
Ortega was a staunch critic of the then-governor and mining activities in the island province, according to the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines.
Ortega was a staunch critic of the then-governor and mining activities in the island province, according to the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines.
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The former governor has surrendered to the National Bureau of Investigation.
The former governor has surrendered to the National Bureau of Investigation.
Remulla said he has not yet received information on why Reyes surrendered.
Remulla said he has not yet received information on why Reyes surrendered.
"Ang alam ko lang nagkasakit siya, naconfine siya sa ospital. At the whole time actually na hindi pa inaannounce yan, he was already under hospital confinement saka may nakabantay na sa kanya na taga NBI," he said.
"Ang alam ko lang nagkasakit siya, naconfine siya sa ospital. At the whole time actually na hindi pa inaannounce yan, he was already under hospital confinement saka may nakabantay na sa kanya na taga NBI," he said.
The case of Reyes has remained archived for years. But Reyes' lawyers said it was only recently that the Supreme Court transferred his case to the Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 76.
The case of Reyes has remained archived for years. But Reyes' lawyers said it was only recently that the Supreme Court transferred his case to the Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 76.
"It's an old case already. But of course we're talking about the murder of an environmentalist. Ang pinatay rito ay talagang may depensa sa kalikasan. Kaya hindi natin nililimutan yung kasong ito para naman maging tahimik sa ating kalooban na hindi ho ito pinababayaan," Remulla said.
"It's an old case already. But of course we're talking about the murder of an environmentalist. Ang pinatay rito ay talagang may depensa sa kalikasan. Kaya hindi natin nililimutan yung kasong ito para naman maging tahimik sa ating kalooban na hindi ho ito pinababayaan," Remulla said.
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Reyes and his brother, former Coron town mayor Mario Reyes, are facing murder charges over the death of Ortega, along with eight others.
Reyes and his brother, former Coron town mayor Mario Reyes, are facing murder charges over the death of Ortega, along with eight others.
Prosecutors initially cleared the Reyes brothers of involvement in Ortega's death, but the decision was reversed in March 2012 and charges were filed against them.
Prosecutors initially cleared the Reyes brothers of involvement in Ortega's death, but the decision was reversed in March 2012 and charges were filed against them.
Reyes was released in 2018 after the court voided the case against him, but the charges were reinstated nearly two years later.
Reyes was released in 2018 after the court voided the case against him, but the charges were reinstated nearly two years later.
In July 2023, the SC ordered the Puerto Princesa Regional Trial Court to re-arrest Reyes.
In July 2023, the SC ordered the Puerto Princesa Regional Trial Court to re-arrest Reyes.
Reyes is currently confined in a hospital in Quezon City due to his medical condition.
Reyes is currently confined in a hospital in Quezon City due to his medical condition.
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He underwent booking procedures at the NBI on Tuesday and remains under the watch of the NBI while awaiting instructions from the court.
He underwent booking procedures at the NBI on Tuesday and remains under the watch of the NBI while awaiting instructions from the court.
‘LEAVING IT UP TO GOD’
Despite the recent developments, Ortega’s widow, Patty, is unsure about what will happen next in the case of her slain husband.
Despite the recent developments, Ortega’s widow, Patty, is unsure about what will happen next in the case of her slain husband.
“I don’t know what will happen in the days to come. Because it’s been very long, the last hearing was I think more than six years ago, and he was issued an arrest warrant, I think, more than three years ago. I don’t know what will happen. I don’t know what to expect, actually,” she told ANC.
“I don’t know what will happen in the days to come. Because it’s been very long, the last hearing was I think more than six years ago, and he was issued an arrest warrant, I think, more than three years ago. I don’t know what will happen. I don’t know what to expect, actually,” she told ANC.
For Patty Ortega, she is leaving everything to God, considering what has happened to her husband’s case for the past 13 years.
For Patty Ortega, she is leaving everything to God, considering what has happened to her husband’s case for the past 13 years.
“I cannot say if I still have faith (in the justice system), it’s slowly diminishing as time goes by, because we have already all the evidences, his right hand has already been convicted and sentenced, and the Supreme Court gives him leeway to change the court from Puerto Princesa to Quezon City. I don’t know what to expect, really. I leave it up to our God,” she added.
“I cannot say if I still have faith (in the justice system), it’s slowly diminishing as time goes by, because we have already all the evidences, his right hand has already been convicted and sentenced, and the Supreme Court gives him leeway to change the court from Puerto Princesa to Quezon City. I don’t know what to expect, really. I leave it up to our God,” she added.
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