Ex-gov’s passport canceled

HAVE YOU SEEN THESE MEN? A new police poster shows ex-Palawan Gov. Joel T. Reyes and his brother, Coron Mayor Mario T. Reyes, both wanted for the murder of environmental activist Gerry Ortega. REDEMPTO D. ANDA/INQUIRER SOUTHERN LUZON

MANILA, Philippines—The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has canceled the Philippine passports issued to former Palawan Gov. Joel Reyes and his brother, Coron, Palawan Mayor Mario Reyes Jr., who have reportedly fled abroad to escape prosecution for the murder of broadcast journalist Gerry Ortega last year.

Assistant Secretary Victor Ledda, head of the DFA Office of Consular Affairs, said the passports were canceled by the DFA by virtue of the warrant of arrest issued by the Palawan Regional Trial Court against the Reyes brothers.

Ledda said the passport “deviously” issued to Joseph Lim Pe was also canceled by the DFA due to fraud and pursuant to Section 8(b)(3) of Republic Act No. 8239 or the Philippine Passport Act of 1996.

Fugitives from justice

Based on immigration records, Joel Reyes used the passport under Pe’s name when he and his brother left the country on board a Cebu Pacific flight for Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, on March 18, 2012.

“The department has notified the Philippine embassies and consulates general abroad to confiscate the passports of the above fugitives from justice in the event that these travel documents are presented for any consular service, and forward them to the department immediately,” Ledda said.

The DFA also requested embassies and consulates to inform police and immigration authorities of the host countries and other areas under their jurisdictions of the cancellation of the brothers’ passports for their possible arrest and immediate deportation to the Philippines to face prosecution, he added.

Ortega’s daughter, Michaella, thanked the DFA for the passport cancellations on behalf of her family.

“We believe that these initial efforts are crucial and can set the difference between the capture of the fugitive brothers or their escape. 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 said.

“We only pray that this example be emulated by all government agencies concerned,” Michaella added.