Gov’t raising bounty for ex-Palawan governor

MANILA, Philippines–Justice Secretary Leila De Lima said the government is already raising the reward money for any information that could lead to the arrest of former Palawan Governor Joel Reyes, one of the main accused in the death of journalist and environmentalist Gerry Ortega.

Former Palawan Governor Joel Reyes. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

“I think there is really an effort to raise fund for that reward money,” De Lima told reporters.

She said in case the funds cannot be raised, it can be taken from the funds of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the Department of Justice.

De Lima explained that in the case of the reward money for retired General Jovito Palparan, the DoJ and DILG put up a share, especially when it was increased from P500,000 to P1-million.

The Justice chief said either today or tomorrow, the DILG will announce how much the reward money will be.

“We would like to assure the people the continuous effort to search for Governor Reyes and General Palparan,” she said.

The Palawan Court already issued the warrant for the arrest of Reyes and his co-accused. The former governor  earlier said that he will not surrender. He also questioned the findings of the DoJ before the Court of Appeals.