Palace: No special treatment for murder suspect ex-Gov. Joel Reyes of Palawan

Malacanang on Friday said fugitive former Palawan governor Joel Reyes will not be given any special treatment.   “It’s a warrant of arrest that has been issued, we are mandated to comply with the warrant of arrest,” presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said at a press briefing.   Tuesday, the Palawan regional trial court issued warrants of arrest against Reyes, his brother incumbent Coron Mayor Mario Reyes Jr, and provincial government employees Arturo Regalado and Percival Lecias. They are all  suspects in the killing of broadcaster Gerry Ortega in January 2011.   Another suspect, Palawan Provincial Administrator Romeo Seratubias is already in the custody of the police.        “There is an outstanding warrant of arrest. Since there is a warrant of arrest, the natural course of action for the law enforcement agencies, or for the court sheriff with the assistance of the PNP is to enforce that warrant of arrest,” said Lacierda.   He backed the statement of Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo to give the Reyes brothers until the end of the week to surrender.   “It’s only Friday today. It’s maybe out of deference for his being a former governor and hopefully that as a government official he will be responsible enough to surrender voluntarily,” Lacierda said.   “But once he (Reyes) fails to show up in the weekend then we will enforce the warrant of arrest,”   On Thursday night, Reyes emailed an audio recording to media agencies saying he would eventually emerge to face the charges. He also denounced his “persecution” and the false accusations. — ELR, GMA News