DFA sees way of making Ramgen’s sis return for murder probe

MANILA, Philippines—Despite the absence of an extradition treaty with Turkey, the Philippine government could still “cause the return to the country” of Ramona “Mara” Bautista who has been tagged as a suspect in the murder of her brother Ramgen Bautista (a.k.a Ram Revilla), according to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).

Raul Hernandez, DFA spokesman, said on Sunday, “Once DFA gets a court order, we will cause the cancellation of (Bautista’s) passport so her movements are restricted.”

The foreign office has also been considering “exploring the (International Police) mechanism to cause her return to the country,” Hernandez also said.

Aside from the Philippine Embassy in Ankara, which is headed by Ambassador Marilyn Alarilla, the country also operates a consulate general in Istanbul and honorary consulates in Izmir and Gaziantep.

On Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr.’s request for help in bringing Ramona back to the country and face justice for her alleged participation in the October 28 killing of her brother Ramgen, the DFA official said they would “work closely with the Department of Justice on this matter to ensure that justice is served.”

Hernandez noted that “the Philippines has extradition and mutual legal assistance treaties with several countries, which we can invoke to help locate, as well as cause the return to the country of persons evading criminal charges or punishment.”

In a hastily called press conference on Saturday night, Revilla asked the DFA to “exert legal and diplomatic efforts to bring Ramona back to the country and face our justice system.”

The senator disclosed he was consulting their lawyers and would ask the Bureau of Immigration to cancel Ramona’s passport.

The DFA, not the BI, issues and cancels Philippine passports.

The Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) has confirmed that Ramona boarded Cathay Pacific Airways flight CX 902 bound for Hong Kong at around 9 p.m. on Friday night.

Ma. Antonette Mangrobang, BI spokesperson, disclosed that Ramona had indicated her destination as Istanbul, Turkey, and that she had “no return ticket.”