2 immigration men fired for escape of Reyes brothers

Former Palawan Governor Joel T. Reyes INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—The Bureau of Immigration (BI) has dismissed from service two of its employees allegedly involved in the escape of former Palawan Governor Joel Reyes and brother Coron, Palawan Mayor Mario Reyes.

In separate decisions, Immigration Commissioner Ricardo David ordered the dismissal of Rogelio Udarbe Jr., Administrative Aide III and Wesley Gutierrez, Security Guard I.

Based on the decision, Udarbe is liable for grave misconduct and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service while Gutierrez was found liable for grave misconduct, gross neglect of duty, and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service. Both Udarbe and Gutierrez’ retirement benefits, except for accrued leave credits, were forfeited; his civil service eligibility was ordered cancelled; he was ordered perpetually disqualified from holding public office; and barred from taking civil service examinations.

The bureau said that Udarbe, together with Reyes’ counsel lawyer Hermie Aban, allegedly a close friend of Udarbe, assisted the brothers’ departure from the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal III for Vietnam while Gutierrez cleared the former governor for departure who used the name “Joseph Lim Pe.”

The brothers were accused of murder for the death of environmentalist and broadcaster Gerry Ortega.