Thailand processing Reyes brothers’ deportation—de Lima

JUSTICE Secretary Leila de Lima on Monday confirmed that former Palawan governor Joel Reyes and his brother, former Coron town mayor Mario Reyes, have been arrested in Thailand.

The brothers were both wanted for the killing in 2011 of broadcast journalist and environmentalist Dr. Gerry Ortega in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan.

“We got the confirmation from the Interpol Manila particularly the National Control Board (NCB)…na naaresto nga po kahapon yung Reyes brothers. Si former governor Joel Reyes and his brother former mayor Mario Reyes,” de Lima told reporters.

De Lima said Thai immigration authorities are already processing the deportation of the Reyes brothers.

The two were arrested by virtue of a warrant of arrest issued by Puerto Princesa Regional Trial Court Branch 52 Judge Angelo Arizala on March 27, 2012.

“As far as we are concerned, as far as we know those warrants of arrest are outstanding and therefore ’pag binalik na po dito… pag dineport na sina governor Reyes dito sa atin ay irereport pa po ’yan ng arresting team nung susundo sa kanila on account of the deportation at ide-detain po sila. And then the appropriate Philippine authorities will make a return of the service of the warrant against the Reyes brothers,” de Lima said.

Upon arrival, she said it is up to the court to determine where the two will be detailed.

“It can be the NBI detention or Camp Crame depending upon the orders of the court,” she said. Tetch Torres-Tupas