De Lima: Death of witness won’t affect Ortega case

Justice Secretary Leila de Lima. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—Justice Secretary Leila de Lima said Friday the death of the alleged lookout of the hit squad that murdered Palawan broadcaster Gerardo “Doc Gerry” Ortega would not affect the case that the government is pursuing against the culprits.

De Lima told reporters that the testimony offered by Dennis Aranas, who purportedly committed suicide Wednesday at the Quezon provincial jail in Lucena City, was rejected by the government prosecutors as well as the Witness Protection Program.

“He had a provisional admission; it was provisionally admitted when the case was still being evaluated. But for Mr. Aranas, his regular admission was not approved because there was a certification on non-materiality by the handling prosecutors. This means it was certified that his testimony was immaterial. We have requisites to comply with [so] he was not covered,” De Lima said.

Former Palawan governor Joel Reyes and his brother,  Coron Mayor Mario Reyes, were earlier charged with the January 2011 murder of Ortega. Both denied the charges but have fled the country.

De Lima assured the Ortega family that the WPP continues to secure the other witnesses in the case, adding, “We’re doing our best to do that.”

Aranas’ family has sought help for an autopsy to ascertain the cause of his death.