DFA cancels Reyes brothers' passports

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has cancelled the passports of former Palawan governor Joel Reyes and his brother Mario Reyes, mayor of Coron, Palawan, who are both tagged as prime suspects in the killing of environmentalist and broadcaster Gerry Ortega last year.

Raul Hernandez, DFA spokesman, said the cancellation of the passports was based on a court order.

“They are considered fugitives from justice,” Hernandez told The STAR.

DFA Assistant Secretary Jaime Victor Ledda informed the Ortega family of the cancellation of the Reyes brothers’ passports, saying it was part of government efforts to bring the brothers back to the country to face the murder charges filed against them.

The DFA has also cancelled the passport of a certain Joseph Lim Pe, the name reportedly used by the former governor, when he flew to Vietnam last March. Reyes reportedly used the same passport when he crossed to Phuket, Thailand.

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

Ledda added that the embassies and consulates were requested to inform concerned police and immigration authorities of the host countries and other areas under the respective consular jurisdictions of the cancellation of the passports of the Reryes brothers for their possible arrest and immediate deportation to the Philippines to face their case.

Ortega’s daughter, Michaella, welcomed the DFA’s actions.

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

“We are hopeful that through the DFA’s constant communication with the Philippine embassies and consulates, 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,” Michaella said.

Michaella earlier asked the Supreme Court to disbar lawyer Hermi Aban, who is representing the Reyes brothers’ co-accused, Arturo Regalado.

She said that while Aban has “actively participated” in the murder trial, he never mentioned to the Puerto Princesa judge handling the case the whereabouts of the wanted brothers.