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Groups continue call for justice a year after Gerry Ortega slay


Justice continues to be elusive a year after the killing of Palawan broadcaster Gerry Ortega, groups said Monday. In particular, the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) called on the Aquino government, particularly the Department of Justice (DOJ) to speed up the reinvestigation of Ortega’s case.   “We challenge Secretary (Leila) De Lima to grab this opportunity to strike a clear and unequivocal blow against the culture of impunity that has emboldened those who would violate our people’s basic rights to do so,” the group said in a statement.   The NUJP also urged other journalists to remain vigilant and “persevere in the struggle for the defense of our rights and liberties.”   Meanwhile, the group Pagkakaisa ng mga Biktima para sa Hustisya meanwhile held a rally in front of the DOJ building in Manila on Tuesday morning to call for speedy action on the Ortega case.   Exactly a year ago, Ortega was gunned down in Puerto Princesa City after his radio program for the day. Ortega, 47, was the main news anchor and commentator of Radyo Mo Nationwide's (RMN)'s Palawan station dwAR. Ortega's wife has claimed that former Palawan Governor Joel Reyes may have ordered the killing because of her husband's vocal anti-mining advocacy.  But in a resolution issued last June 14, the DOJ panel cleared Reyes of involvement in Ortega’s killing, citing insufficient evidence.   Ortega’s wife, Patria, asked the DOJ last July to reconsider its ruling, and to include Reyes and five others in the case. This prompted the DOJ panel to reinvestigate the case.   Lawyer Ferdinand Topacio, Reyes’ counsel, meanwhile also made an appeal to the DOJ to avoid the issue to become politicized.   “Let us allow the criminal justice system to take its course, and thereafter respect whatever decision it may make. This is the civilized and decent thing to do,” he said in a statement. — ELR/KG, GMA News

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