Environmental Defenders Congress
Press Statement
24 January 2024
On the 13th Anniversary of the Murder of Dr. Gerry Ortega and UN Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression and Opinion Irene Khan’s Visit to the Philippines
On this somber anniversary and with the timely visit of United Nations Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Opinion and Expression Irene Khan, to the Philippines, the Environmental Defenders Congress honors the memory of Dr. Gerry Ortega. Dr. Ortega, a resolute environmental defender and radio broadcaster, was killed on January 24, 2011. He courageously opposed influential mining interests aiming to exploit the biodiverse Palawan island and exposed corruption, particularly the misuse of the Malampaya fund by the local government at that time.
On February 14, 2011, Ortega’s widow filed charges against then (now former) Palawan Gov. Mario Joel T. Reyes, his brother, now incumbent Coron, Palawan Mayor Mario T. Reyes, former provincial administrator Atty. Romeo Serratubias, the governor’s aides Arturo Regalado, and Percival B. Lecias, along with five others, in connection with the murder.
The case, despite initial progress, became a long-drawn-out legal saga, involving various complexities, such as the creation of a second DOJ panel in September 2011, the reversal of the original panel’s findings in March 2012, and the subsequent issuance of arrest warrants. The Reyes brothers fled the country in March 2012, using fake passports. They were convicted in 2013 and captured in Thailand in September 2015, but the Court of Appeals overturned the verdict in 2016, citing insufficient evidence. Rearrest only occurred following the Supreme Court’s order last year, in July 2023. The protracted nature of this case raises serious concerns about the adequacy of justice in long-drawn-out, high-profile environmental cases.
We strongly denounce the continuous attempts by the powerful Reyes clan to delay the case, exemplified by their recent motion—filed in October 2023, just as the case was approaching a verdict — requesting a transfer of venue from the Puerto Princesa, Palawan court to a Quezon City court, on dubious grounds. This strategic move — and the fact that the Supreme Court approved it in December 2023, nearly a decade after Joel Reyes’s arraignment — brings into question the genuine commitment to pursuing justice. It also underscores the dismal condition of the Philippine justice system.
Dr. Ortega’s murder is emblematic of the challenges faced by both journalists and environmental defenders in the Philippines. The case highlights the dangers both journalists and environmental defender activists confront and the persistent threats to freedom of expression in the country. We draw attention to this stark reality as UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Opinion and Expression Irene Khan embarks on her visit to Manila, coinciding with the 13th anniversary of Dr. Ortega’s tragic death.
The Environmental Defenders Congress urges the international community to monitor the proceedings surrounding Doc Gerry Ortega’s case closely. We call for sustained efforts to protect environmental defenders, ensuring that when they face harm — or even death — in their quest for justice and planet preservation, a just and prompt legal process is in place. It is crucial to highlight that, since 2012, there have been 281 documented killings of environmental defenders in the Philippines, making the country the most dangerous place in Asia and one of the most hazardous globally for defenders.
As we commemorate the life and legacy of Dr. Gerry Ortega, let us renew our commitment to environmental protection, human rights, and the pursuit of a just and transparent judicial system. Only through unwavering dedication and collective action can we honor Doc Gerry’s memory and secure a safer, more just world for future generations.
Steering Committee, Environmental Defenders Congress
- Merwin Jacob Alinea, Kalikasan Southern Tagalog (Luzon)
- John Vincent F. Quiobe, Samahan para sa Interaktibong Kalihokang Agraryo sa mga Artistang Bayan, Negros (Visayas)
- Dr. Jean Lindo, Panalipdan! Mindanao (Mindanao) REFERENCE: https://web.facebook.com/jean.lindo
- Lia Mai Torres, Center for Environmental Concerns
- Jon Bonifacio, Kalikasan People’s Network for the Environment #