Ortega kin again press Reyes indictment

MANILA, Philippines - The family of slain broadcaster Gerry Ortega again asked the Department of Justice (DOJ) to indict former Palawan governor Joel Reyes in the murder, whose first anniversary was marked yesterday.

“Justice is too slow. Amid overwhelming evidence, a year after, a case has yet to be filed against the mastermind of Daddy’s killing,” Ortega’s daughter Micaella said in a text message.

Ortega’s widow Patria and their four children started the day with a Mass at his grave at the Aborlan cemetery in Palawan and held a candle-lighting ceremony at 6 p.m. to dramatize their cry for justice.

Their supporters, including human rights group Hustisya, meanwhile, trooped to the DOJ building in Manila to decry what they said was injustice in the murder case since the alleged mastermind remains scot-free.

“Not all cases have the same strong evidence against the mastermind and Ortega’s killers. We have hoped that the evidence presented in Ortega’s killing may speed up the resolution of the case,” Hustisya said in a statement. - With Artemio Dumlao