Ex-Palawan guv, bro arrested in Thailand for broadcaster’s slay

AFTER more than three years on the run, former Palawan governor Joel Reyes and his brother Mario were arrested in Thailand over the murder of journalist and environment activist Gerry Ortega.

According to Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Sonny Coloma, the Reyes brothers were detained by Thai authorities in Phuket.

The brothers went missing in early 2012 after an arrest warrant was issued against them.

“The arrest of the long-wanted Reyes brothers provides an opportunity for pursuing the ends of justice,” Coloma said.

The Philippine government has thanked the Interpol and Thai police for their help in arresting the brothers who have been tagged as the masterminds in the killing of Ortega.

Ortega was shot in the head at point-blank range while shopping in Puerto Princesa.

The gunman was caught trying to flee the scene and police said his weapon was owned by one of Joel Reyes’ lawyers.

The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines welcomed the arrest of the two suspects even as it raised concern over how the brothers were able to evade arrest and flee the country.

The Reyes’ brothers passports had been revoked by the Philippines’ Department of Foreign Affairs as early as September 2012.

“We all remember the circumstances in which they were able to flee the country in March 2012, just before warrants for their arrest were issued, and apparently with false travel papers and the help of crooked immigration officials after what can only be assumed was a tip-off from even more crooked officials higher up in government,” the NUJP said.

In 2012, President Benigno Aquino III offered a P2 million reward for the arrest of each of the “Big Five” fugitives that include the Reyes brothers.