Ex-Palawan gov faces new charge

Manila, Philippines - The family of slain Palawan broadcaster Dr. Gerry Ortega filed charges against former Palawan governor Joel Reyes with the Pasay prosecutor’s office yesterday, accusing the fugitive of violating Republic Act 8239 or the passport law.

In a six-page complaint, Ortega’s daughter, Michaella, accused Reyes of using a fake or tampered passport to leave the country. She alleged that Reyes used the name of Joseph Lim Pe when he traveled to Vietnam together with his brother, Coron Mayor Mario Reyes, and lawyer Hermi Aban.

Meanwhile, Percival Lecias, one of the suspects in Ortega’s murder in January 2011, died of hepatitis in a hospital in Puerto Princesa, Palawan yesterday morning.