A 13-year legal saga reached a pivotal moment on September 11, 2024, when former Palawan Governor Joel T. Reyes, alleging mastermind behind environmental journalist Gerry Ortega’s 2011 murder, surrendered to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) in Metro Manila. Reyes had evaded justice since an arrest warrant was issued in 2023 by Palawan courts following a Supreme Court directive. His 2018 release by the Court of Appeals sparked renewed public outrage and legal pressure.
Ortega, a respected radio broadcaster, was gunned down on January 24, 2011, shortly after speaking out against alleged corruption and mining interests in Palawan. The gunman and his accomplice were convicted, but the brains behind the killing remained at large.
The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), its Philippine affiliate NUJP, RSF, CPJ, Free Press Unlimited, and a coalition dubbed A Safer World for the Truth have welcomed Reyes’ arrest and called for immediate, transparent trials. CPJ emphasized that Ortega’s murder reflects the Philippines’ deep-rooted pattern of impunity in journalist killings—since democracy was restored in 1986, at least 199 journalists have been killed.
The Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFoMS) hailed the surrender, noting that Reyes remains under hospital guard as proceedings continue. Ortega’s family, along with press freedom advocates, has urged the courts to avoid further delays and ensure a fair, expedited trial.
This case underscores broader concerns about press freedoms in the Philippines. Despite a lively media environment, critical journalists continue to face threats, and perpetrators—especially those with political clout—often evade accountability.
Now with Reyes in custody, the eyes of Philippine society and the international community are fixed on the courts. Successful prosecution would signal progress in dismantling the culture of impunity that has plagued journalist murders in the country. IFJ Asia-Pacific Director Cédric Alviani stressed, “Justice delayed is justice denied”, while RSF reiterated that the conviction of not just the gunmen, but also the alleged mastermind, is crucial to restoring trust and ensuring that no journalist’s death goes in vain.
