Government Probes Alleged Special Treatment Given Reyes Brothers in Palawan Jail

The Palace said on Sunday that the government will investigate the alleged special treatment in a Palawan jail given to murder suspects, former Palawan governor Joel Reyes and former Coron mayor Mario Reyes.

“The DOJ (Department of Justice) and the DILG (Department of Interior and Local Government) are looking into this matter and will take the necessary action, including the possible filing of appropriate cases against those involved,” said Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr., in an interview over dzRB Radyo ng Bayan.

“Moreover, the Reyes brothers are detention prisoners; hence, only the court where the case is pending can issue the necessary permission. As to the request for hospital arrest, Secretary (Leila) de Lima has stated the government’s opposition to any such motion,” Coloma added.

According to reports, the brothers were even allowed to call for a press conference during their detention.

The brothers are currently detained at the Puerto Princesa City Jail for the alleged murder of journalist-environmentalist Gerry Ortega in 2011.

Ortega was oppose to large-scale mining in Palawan.

The Reyes brothers were arrested in Phuket, Thailand on the evening of September 20 for overstaying. PND (ag)