Ex-Palawan governor says he fears for his life

MANILA, Philippines - Maintaining that he is a victim of injustice, fugitive former Palawan governor Joel Reyes said he is hiding not from the charges related to the killing of broadcaster Gerry Ortega in 2011 but for fear for his life.

Reyes, now the subject of a warrant of arrest for Jan. 24, 2011 killing of Ortega in Puerto Princesa City, said there are people out to kill him, as he called on the public not to believe any information that he was killed in an accident.

It was the second time Reyes has issued a statement since he went into hiding after a Palawan court issued an arrest warrant for him and his brother for the killing of Ortega, an environmental advocate.

In a letter written in Filipino and read over the radio, Reyes vowed to face the charges against him at a proper time, saying he was evading the injustice being done against him.

He said he has kept his silence for almost a year to let justice take it course but at this time, he said he wanted to air his grievances and doubts.

Reyes alleged that some groups had lobbied with the Department of Justice to include him as a respondent in the murder case, despite the fact that an earlier investigation panel cleared him of the charges for lack of material evidence to link him to the Ortega killing.

In the absence of any new evidence, Reyes said the second panel of prosecutors reversed the earlier ruling, which prompted his political opponents to celebrate.

Ortega, 47, was killed by gunman Marlon Recamata in front of an ukay-ukay (used clothing) store in Puerto Princesa City. Recamata, who was arrested moments after the killing, later confessed that his group was hired for the hit job in exchange for P150,000.