16-7-2023 (MANILA) In a recent development, the Philippines’ highest court has mandated the re-arrest of Joel Reyes, a former governor from the western island of Palawan, who stands accused of orchestrating the killing of prominent environmentalist Gerry Ortega over a decade ago. Court documents made public on Sunday reveal this significant development.
The 2011 murder of Gerry Ortega took place while he was shopping in the capital city of Palawan, a renowned tourist destination celebrated for its exquisite landscapes and lush forests. However, the island has also faced considerable challenges due to illegal logging, mining, and fishing. Prior to his death, Ortega used his radio show to repeatedly accuse Reyes of engaging in extensive corruption.
The Supreme Court’s ruling, issued on March 29 but only published recently, represents the latest milestone in this protracted case. Joel Reyes and his brother Mario, both implicated in Ortega’s murder, had gone into hiding in 2012 when arrest warrants were issued against them. Eventually, they were apprehended in Thailand in 2015.
In 2018, Reyes was released from jail after the criminal charges against him were dismissed by a court. However, the government’s legal team appealed this decision, leading to the reinstatement of the charges nearly two years later.
Following the appeal, the Supreme Court had temporarily halted the order for Reyes’ re-arrest and the resumption of his trial while it deliberated on his plea for reconsideration. However, the Supreme Court’s recent ruling has rejected the appeal, demanding that a Palawan court execute the arrest warrant and proceed with the trial.
Ortega’s widow, Patty, expressed the family’s appreciation for the court’s decision, stating that it “renews our hope that, one day, justice will prevail.” The lawyer representing Joel Reyes could not be reached for comment.
While the Philippines has witnessed numerous cases of violence against environmental activists and journalists, the brazen assassination of Gerry Ortega left the nation in shock. Joel Reyes attempted to regain his former political position in the previous year’s elections but was unsuccessful, and his brother Mario, a former mayor, also faced defeat in his re-election bid.
