Family of slain broadcaster asks Appellate Court for a fair decision

CMFR/Philippines – The family of slain broadcaster and environmentalist Gerardo “Gerry” Ortega is appealing to the Court of Appeals (CA) for a fair and just decision on the motions filed by the accused masterminds in the Ortega killing. Ortega was killed on 24 January 2011 in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan province.

In a statement she sent to media organizations, Ortega’s daughter Mika said her family is “praying and hoping for the Court of Appeals to stand its ground and not let the maneuvering of Palawan Ex-Governor Joel Reyes and Coron Mayor Mario Reyes to drop the charges filed by the DOJ and subsequently nullify the warrant of arrest issued by the Puerto Princesa RTC (Regional Trial Court).”

The Reyes brothers are accused of being the masterminds in the killing of Ortega, the second journalist killed in the line of duty under the Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III administration which came to power in 2010. Ortega was known for his environmental and anti-mining advocacies.

On 14 February 2011, Patria, the widow of Ortega, filed murder charges against the Reyes brothers in a supplemental complaint-affidavit she filed before the Department of Justice (DOJ). In an 8 June 2011 resolution, a panel of public prosecutors dropped the charges against the alleged masterminds, including the Reyes brothers, for insufficiency of evidence.

DOJ Sec. Leila de Lima created a three-man panel on 7 September 2011 to reinvestigate the murder of Ortega. On 3 October 2011, former Palawan Governor Reyes filed a petition for certiorari and prohibition asking the CA 15th Division to stop the reinvestigation into his alleged involvement in the planning of the murder of the broadcaster. Coron Mayor Reyes Jr. also filed a petition on 28 October 2011 before the CA 7th Division.

On 12 March 2012, the new panel issued a resolution finding probable cause against the masterminds including the Reyes brothers. On the same date, the Information against the accused was filed before the Puerto Princesa RTC Branch 52.

The Puerto Princesa RTC Branch 52 issued warrants of arrest against the accused including the Reyes brothers on 27 March 2012. The Reyes brothers responded by filing different motions before the CA asking the court to issue a temporary restraining order and/or writ of preliminary injunction against Puerto Princesa RTC Branch 52.

Mika explained in her statement that the Ortega family is “issuing (the) appeal in the light of information confidentially relayed to us that the family and supporters of the fugitive brothers are doing everything and anything possible to get a favorable response from the Court of Appeals.”