PH Embassy in Thailand confirms arrest of Reyes brothers

Crime Suppression Division commander Pol Maj Gen Akradej Pimolsri said today (Sept 21) that Joel Reyes, 63, former governor of Palawan province, and his brother, Mario Reyes, 54, a former municipal mayor in the same western province, were apprehended yesterday (Sept 20) following a tip from Interpol.

Patty Ortega, widow of the murdered activist, told AFP she was relieved but also said she was anxious that the Reyes brothers could still evade justice.

“So definitely, yung pagkakaaresto sa kanila kahapon (their arrest) is on the strength of that outstanding Interpol (International Police) red notice and although we are still validating this ay dahil sa kanilang (is because of their) status as illegal entrants”.

But a ranking police official privy to the operation said the brothers were arrested and held by immigration authorities for overstaying in Thailand.

It noted that Rodolfo “Bumar” Edrad, former close-in bodyguard of ex-Marinduque governor Jose Antonio Carreon, admitted going to Mario Reyes’ house in Ayala Alabang to receive P500,000, which was allegedly used to finance the plan to kill Ortega.

They also asked Secretary De Lima “to immediately resolve the Petition for Review and declare that there is probable cause against the Reyes brothers, notwithstanding the current petition before the Supreme Court”.

“Joel was carrying (documents with) a surname Pe while his brother carried Gatchalian”, the source said. They thanked the Thai authorities and people for their time in Thailand and hoped for a return visit.

Shortly after, the Reyes brothers were spotted in Phuket, Thailand.

Joel Reyes (right), an early Philippine manager, brilliant brother Mario Reyes, an early urban mayor, communicate for the media meeting in Bangkok on Monday.

In a phone interview, Ortega’s daughter, Michaella, told Rappler her family “did not expect this to happen” this week.

Mica said they felt relief that the alleged masterminds would stand trial.

On Ortega’s death, police arrested Marlon Recamata for the killing, who confessed but initially claimed his motivation was robbery. “But pending the issuance of the commitment order by the court, they will be confined at the NBI detention facility, or the PNP Custodial Center or the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology”, she added.

De Lima said that upon arrival, the Reyes brothers would be detained either at Camp Crame or in the National Bureau of Investigation until Judge Angelo Arizala of the Puerto Princesa Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 52 decides where they will be detained.

The Ortega family is consulting with lawyers to see how to make these possible.