DFA cancels passports of fugitive ex-Palawan governor, brother

The Department of Foreign Affairs has cancelled the passports of former Palawan governor Joel Reyes and his brother Mario Reyes, mayor of Coron, Palawan, who are both wanted for the killing of environmentalist and broadcaster Gerry Ortega in 2011. In a letter shared by the Ortega family to the media, DFA Assistant Secretary Jaime Victor B. Ledda said this was part of the efforts being undertaken by the government to bring the brothers back to the Philippines and have them face the murder charges filed against them. The DFA has also cancelled the passport of a certain Joseph Lim Pe, the identity reportedly used by Joel Reyes when he flew to Vietnam last March and when he crossed to Phuket, Thailand. "The department has notified the Philippine Embassies and Consulates General abroad to confiscate the passports of the above fugitives of justice in the event that these travel documents are presented for any consular service and forward them to the Department immediately," Ledda said in the letter to the Ortega family.  "The Embassies and Consulates General were also requested to inform concerned police and immigration authorities of the host countries and other areas under the respective consular jurisdictions of the cancellation of their passports for their possible arrest and immediate deportation to the Philippines to face their case," Ledda added. Ortega's daughter, Michaella Ortega, welcomed the efforts and assistance being extended by the government through the DFA. "We believe that these initial efforts are crucial and can set the difference between the capture of the fugitive brothers or their escape," she said on Friday. "We are hopeful that through the DFA's constant communication with the Philippine Embassies and Consulates General abroad that we can see the day that the Reyes Brothers, who have been consistently disrespecting our laws and our courts, are arrested and made to face the allegations and evidences against them," she added. Ortega had earlier asked the Supreme Court to disbar defense lawyer Hermi Aban, who is representing the Reyes brothers' co-accused, Arturo Regalado. She said that while Aban has "actively participated" in the murder trial, he never mentioned to the Puerto Princesa judge handling the case the whereabouts of the wanted brothers. Ortega's daughter cited "reports" and "documents" both from the Philippine and Vietnamese Immigration bureaus confirming the departure from the Philippines and arrival in Vietnam of Joseph Lim Pe, Mario Reyes and Aban in March. She said based on a flight manifest, Aban was even seated next to the former governor. From Vietnam, Joel Reyes, who has denied the accusation, was thought to have proceeded to Thailand. The Reyes brothers were charged in court with murder for Ortega's killing in January last year. They fled the country before the court could issue an arrest warrant and a hold departure order against them. Ortega's death was linked to his hard-hitting radio commentaries on illegal mining activities in Palawan. Aside from being a broadcaster, he was also a prominent civic leader and veterinarian who once headed Palawan's famous crocodile farm in Puerto Princesa City. — KBK, GMA News