BI officers in Reyes brods’ flight dismissed

May we take exception to the Inquirer’s May 4 editorial titled “Big-shot fugitives” which partly commented on the case of the Reyes brothers who are suspects in the killing of broadcaster Gerry Ortega.

We deny the assertion that no action has been done by the Bureau of Immigration on the two immigration officers who were accused of facilitating their flight from the country.

Actually, there is no video evidence that the Palawan governor and his brother left via the Ninoy Aquino International Airport. But records from the airline and other immigration services tend to show that they indeed left the country. Based on these evidence and testimonies of witnesses, the fact-finding panel we formed to investigate the incident found sufficient basis to find the two employees administratively liable for gross misconduct and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service.

Thus, upon the panel’s recommendation, we subsequently ordered the dismissal from the service of Rodel Udarbe and Wesley Gutierrez. Their dismissal is now awaiting affirmation by the Department of Justice.

—RICARDO A. DAVID JR., commissioner,

Bureau of Immigration