Father Reyes running to VACC for help

In May 2002, I was served a warrant of arrest by RTC Quezon City Branch 100 for a case of libel filed against me by Juan Ponce Enrile and his son Jackie. The libel stemmed from statements I made in an interview with Paolo Bediones for his TV program “Extra Extra.”

For nine years I attended hearings on my case. Not once did the Enriles attend. Finally on Feb. 11, 2011, Judge Marie Christine Jacob provisionally dismissed the case.

Last month the statement of US Ambassador William Sullivan regarding the “Ernest Robert Lucas Case” was released by WikiLeaks. In this statement, Ambassador Sullivan complained about how the Philippine courts dismissed the recommendation of the National Bureau of Investigation to investigate both Jackie and his aide, Sgt. Danilo Cruz, for  their role in the fatal shooting of my nephew Ernest Robert Lucas. Because of this, media began contacting me for comments. I had nothing new to say. I simply repeated what I said in 2000 when I was interviewed by Bediones.

Media also tried to reach Jackie, who repeatedly said that he had nothing to do with the crime.

Up to now no justice has been served my nephew. The dire consequences of his murder are still suffered by his relatives. Ironically, it is I, a totally innocent citizen, who continue to be harassed by the courts.

For the sake of truth and justice, someone has to do something about the case of Ernest Robert Lucas. Last April 15, in his column, Conrado de Quiros made such an appeal. If justice and human rights watch groups would champion the case of my nephew Ernest Robert Lucas, not only his family but also the entire Filipino nation will stand to benefit from their efforts.

I wish to make this a formal appeal to the Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption (VACC).

Would you be willing to help seek justice for Ernest Robert Lucas? Would you help him, his family, relatives and friends find an answer to the 38-year-old question “Who really killed Ernest Robert Lucas?”

I look forward to the VACC’s favorable response.

—FR. ROBERTO P. REYES,

Juan de Plasencia Franciscan Novitiate,

Liliw, Laguna