Netizens are typing away at their computers,
pledging financial and other help as the manhunt for the former governor of
Palawan (west Philippines) spread to cyberspace.
In
scores of postings that have sprouted on Facebook, supporters, friends and
relatives of slain environmentalist-broadcaster Gerry Ortega offered to help
locate former Governor Joel T. Reyes, his brother and Coron Mayor Mario Reyes,
and two provincial aides, who have been linked to the murder.
Keeping
herself earthbound, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima on Sunday joined calls for
the Reyes brothers and the other suspects to surrender, reminding them that
“flight is indicative of guilt”.
De Lima
said the failure to arrest the suspects had become “an embarrassment”.
"How
much per sheet ang flyer so the information could be disseminated? I am willing
to sponsor 100 sheets,” Facebook user Yanay Rort said in a comment on a photo
captioned “Wanted: Joel T. Reyes”.
The
photo was first posted on March 28 by Ortega’s daughter Erika. As of Sunday,
the photo had drawn 197 “like” reactions and 129 comments. The photo was shared
by 102 other users.
Initial pledges
Mika,
eldest daughter of the late broadcaster, told the Philippine Daily Inquirer
that money pledges on Facebook alone would amount so far to over 10,000 pesos
(US$233) to finance the production and distribution of “wanted” posters bearing
the names and faces of the people named in the arrest warrants issued by a
Palawan judge.
She
said the Ortega family would consult with lawyers on how to respond to such
suggestions and offers.
The
embattled former governor was not without supporters on Facebook.
"I
say just leave him alone…he’s a good guy and a good dad,” said a certain Glen
T. Farrish.
'In due time'
Reyes’
spokesperson, Rolando Bonoan, denied in a statement that Reyes was defying a
court order by hiding from the authorities.
Bonoan,
a member of the Palawan provincial board, claimed some media organisations had
taken “out of context” a statement issued by Reyes while in hiding.
"He
never said in his statement that he is going to defy the court order. What he
said was that in due time he will face the charges filed against him,” Bonoan
said.
Due process denied
He
repeated the claim made by Reyes in his recorded message aired on Thursday by a
local radio station that his political opponents were implicating him in the
Ortega murder “for their own selfish motives and interests.”
Bonoan
criticised the issuance of the warrant of arrest against Reyes as “a denial of
due process”.
"The
court should have thoroughly discussed and studied first the important issues
presented in the motions before issuing a warrant of arrest,” he said.
Ortega’s
wife, Patria, brushed aside Bonoan’s remarks. "It is clear to us that
Reyes has arrogantly placed himself above the law, hiding when he doesn’t like
the decision made by a proper court. No amount of word play by Mr. Bonoan will
change that fact,” Patria said.
De
Lima, who once served as Reyes’ election lawyer, said hiding from the law would
not help his legal defense.
"I
reiterate Interior Secretary (Jesse) Robredo’s appeal for them to surrender and
support his directive for a manhunt,” De Lima said."They ought to be
strongly reminded that flight is indicative of guilt. Innocence is proven in
court and not outside of it.”
She
said she had directed the National Bureau of Investigation to intensify its
efforts to help the Philippine National Police locate and arrest the Reyeses.
As in
any other criminal cases, De Lima said, the implementation of the arrest
warrants against the Reyes brothers should be a “shared responsibility of all
law-enforcement bodies.”
Like
retired Army Major General Jovito Palparan, who is himself wanted for the
alleged abduction of two university students, the Reyeses were apparently
“trying to test the government’s resolve to get them to face the wheels of
justice,” De Lima said.
"Continued
failure to (arrest them) is becoming to be an embarrassment not only to the
Filipino public, but the international community as well,” the justice
secretary said.
But De
Lima expressed optimism that the NBI and the PNP would eventually arrest the
brothers.
"I’m
confident that the long arm of the law will eventually reach these fugitives,”
she said. “I urge our law enforcers to double their efforts in tracking them
down and forthwith arrest them.”
Reyes
and his brother have not been seen by the authorities since the Regional Trial
Court in Palawan last month ordered their arrest and the arrest of others
accused in the killing of Ortega, who was gunned down inside a used-clothes
store in Puerto Princesa City on Jan. 24, 2011.
Ortega
had criticised Reyes on his radio programmes for the latter’s supposed failure
to stop the purported abuses and violations of environmental laws of several
mining companies in the province.
Marlon
Ramos and Redempto D. Anda
Philippine
Daily Inquirer
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