PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Palawan – Former Palawan governor Joel Reyes walked out of the city jail here a free man late Friday after the Court of Appeals (CA) found “no probable cause” in the murder case filed against him as the suspected mastermind in the 2011 slaying of radioman and environmentalist Dr. Gerry Ortega.
Reyes’ lawyer, Atty. Demetrio Custodio, confirmed this to the Philippine News Agency (PNA) in a phone call Friday, saying the “CA has ruled that the Regional Trial Court (RTC)” in Palawan “has no basis to continue with the trial as its finding(s) were wrong”.
“Mali ang findings ng RTC (The findings of the RTC were wrong). The RTC should stop hearing the case,” Custodio said. “We obtained a copy of the CA decision around 9 a.m., he was released 5:40 p.m. from the city jail.”
The former governor’s designated spokesperson, Rolando Bonoan Jr., confirmed the release, saying the murder case was dismissed because the CA granted the petition for certiorari for lack of probable cause.
“This petition was filed a long time ago. I think this was filed three years ago, and the CA ordered the RTC and prohibited it for further deliberation of the case,” he explained.
Bonoan said after Reyes’ release from the Puerto Princesa City Jail, they attended Mass and passed by his residence to pack some clothes “for his trip to Manila”.
Reyes arrived at the airport at about 9 p.m., accompanied by another former governor of Palawan, Abraham Mitra.
Wearing a black round-neck T-shirt and brown flat-front shorts, with the signature white towel over his neck and a pair of slippers, Reyes, when asked what he would do first when he gets to Manila, said, ”Magsisimba muna ako at magpapasalamat (I will go to church to express my gratitude).”
Upon entering the departure area of the airport, he said in the Cuyunon dialect, “Doro ako kaambeng na digi ako reman. Matarabidan kita. (I am so happy to be here again. Let’s get together.)”
Noting that the prosecution would most likely take the CA decision to the Supreme Court, Bonoan said, “We better be prepared for that.”
The former governor’s release, he said, is happy news for all his supporters.
Before he was jailed, Reyes escaped to Phuket, Thailand with his brother Mario. They were arrested by Thai police in September 2015 and repatriated to Palawan.
Ortega’s family has yet to issue a statement regarding Reyes’ release. (/PNA)
