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MANILA, Philippines — The Presidential Job Pressure on Media Safety (PTFMS), together with different teams, on Monday joined the decision to have former Palawan governor Mario Joel Reyes rearrested for his alleged position within the homicide of anti-corruption crusader, staunch environmentalist, and broadcaster Dr. Gerry Ortega in Puerto Princesa Metropolis in 2011.
PTFMS chief Usec. Joel Egco expressed the idea that the proof of Reyes’ guilt was sturdy within the prison case filed towards the previous Palawan governor.
He issued the assertion after the Workplace of the Solicitor Common (OSG) requested the Supreme Courtroom to elevate the March 23, 2022, non permanent restraining order (TRO) of the Puerto Princesa Metropolis regional trial court docket (RTC) to have Reyes rearrested.
READ: OSG asks SC to elevate TRO, needs ex-Palawan guv rearrested for Ortega slay
“The Presidential Job Pressure shares the feelings of the OSG in its movement to elevate the TRO which is stopping the re-arrest of the previous governor. We consider that the proof of guilt is powerful within the prison case filed towards Reyes in reference to the slaying of Gerry Ortega,” Egco mentioned in an announcement.
Beforehand, Egco backed the motion of the OSG in initiating an investigation to seek out any anomaly with regard to the Courtroom of Appeals’ (CA) 2018 choice to launch Reyes from detention because of the alleged insufficiency of proof within the homicide case.
In its 62-page remark, the OSG additionally requested the SC magistrates to dismiss the petition for evaluate filed by Reyes on the excessive court docket.
“I’ve full belief and confidence with the OSG, as a member company of PTFoMS, in its dedication to attaining justice for this heinous act. The duty pressure won’t stand idly by till all these chargeable for the killing of Ortega, together with the masterminds, are put behind bars,” Egco mentioned.
Ortega was gunned down on January 24, 2011, in Puerto Princesa Metropolis after the airing of his radio program “Ramatak.” Many thought-about him an “environmental hero.”
Marlon Recamata, the gunman, was arrested and pleaded responsible to homicide in February 2011.
Reyes was tagged by a former bodyguard, Rodolfo Edrad, because the mastermind behind the killing of Ortega, who had criticized the previous Palawan governor for the supposed destruction of the atmosphere within the province.
Additionally implicated within the killing was Reyes’ brother, former Coron Mayor Mario Reyes. The 2 are working for governor and mayor, respectively, within the coming elections on Might 9.
READ: Reyes brothers in Ortega killing arrested in Thailand
For his half, senatorial candidate and former Bayan Muna party-list consultant Neri Colmenares known as for the TRO for the rearrest of Reyes a “nice injustice” for the folks of Palawan.
“Contemplating the circumstances of evading arrest earlier than their trial, the latest choice to put aside the arrest warrant of the mastermind of the homicide, former Palawan Governor Joel Reyes, is extremely questionable. The trial for the homicide of Gerry Ortega already took a gradual tempo with Governor Reyes and his brother hiding in Thailand, which must be seen as an indication of guilt,” he added.
Colmenares, who can be a human rights lawyer, additionally mentioned the SC TRO is questionable as different inmates proceed to languish inside cramped detention services, regardless of the weak point of their instances.
“With the SC setting apart their arrest whereas they enchantment the case, it begs the query, what makes former Governor Reyes particular that he will get the privilege of a TRO whereas different detainees proceed to languish inside cramped detention services, regardless of the weaknesses of their instances?” he added.
The senatorial aspirant additionally mentioned that witness testimonies corroborate and are sturdy sufficient to face in court docket and convict the previous governor and his brother.
“How the Reyes brothers additionally stalled the instances with their hiding, permitting former Governor Reyes to be free and run for workplace, solely insults the legacy of Doc Gerry, who had ardently defended Palawan from environmental plunder. Reyes had already been convicted for graft for his questionable issuances of mining permits. That alone ought to have stored him behind bars. And even with the Ortega homicide case below evaluate, he, like every other detained suspect, ought to keep in jail till a ultimate verdict is reached. Till this evident mistake is remedied, our justice system stays dysfunctional,” Colmenares mentioned.
For lawyer and environmental coverage professional Dean Tony La Viña, it might be helpful to make clear the standing of the 2 instances — one for the homicide of Ortega for which trial remains to be to be performed, and one other involving graft and corruption the place a judgment of conviction has been rendered however being appealed earlier than the SC.
“On the primary case, the SC should resolve the movement for reconsideration that Mr. Reyes has filed on the reinstatement by the Courtroom of Appeals of the costs filed towards him. The OSG has opposed that movement and has requested for the lifting of the TRO in order that the Ortega homicide trial is resumed and accomplished. On the second case, the place perpetual disqualification for public workplace, has been meted on Mr. Reyes, the Courtroom should affirm the conviction,” La Viña mentioned
“In each instances, no ultimate choice of the SC has been issued. We anticipate that justice shall be finished as soon as the method is accomplished,” he mentioned.
Worldwide journalist group Safer World for the Fact mentioned it welcomes OSG’s request to the SC to “order the quick re-arrest and detention” of the previous Palawan governor, saying that this request follows a decade of Reyes’ delaying and escaping prosecution regardless of the sturdy proof of guilt.
“This evasion of prosecution by Joel T. Reyes outcomes constitutes impunity, but additionally a risk to the household of Gerry Ortega, and all different journalists within the Philippines. It sends the message that murdering journalists can go unpunished,” the group mentioned.
READ: 9 years after doctor-radioman Gerry Ortega’s homicide, NUJP nonetheless pushing for justice
The Nationwide Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP), in the meantime, mentioned it stands with the household and mates of Ortega in calling for justice for his homicide, including that it welcomes the transfer by the OSG and PTFMS to have Reyes rearrested.
“The course of the case, which has run for greater than a decade, and that decision for justice essentially consists of the decision for the arrest of former Palawan Gov. Joel Reyes and his continued trial as a suspected mastermind within the homicide,” it mentioned.
“These are authorized arguments, however we maintain to a extra fundamental cause for his arrest: A homicide suspect who can evade arrest and go about his political enterprise can affect the case and whereas Reyes could also be inside his rights to run for workplace, it’s doubtless that he doesn’t have the proper to do it exterior of presidency custody,” it added.
The NUJP additionally mentioned that press freedom and human rights teams have lengthy held that impunity in assaults towards journalists emboldens those that search to silence the crucial press and put the whole media neighborhood at higher threat.
“We be a part of Doc Gerry’s household, mates, and supporters in calling for the long-delayed justice for his homicide and name as effectively for his arrest to face trial for the killing. Extra broadly, we be a part of the decision for persevering with reforms that might assist protect crime scenes, pace up investigations and prosecution of those that assault journalists,” it additional mentioned.
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