What went before: The Reyes brothers
In January 2011, environmentalist and broadcaster Gerardo Ortega was killed by a lone gunman in Puerto Princesa City in Palawan.
Former Palawan governor Joel Reyes and his brother former Coron, Palawan, mayor Mario Reyes were tagged in Ortega’s murder.
Ortega was critical about the corruption in Palawan and implicated the former governor in the misuse of Malampaya funds.
After the broadcaster’s death, Ortega’s wife has filed a murder complaint against the Reyes brothers and other individuals before the Department of Justice (DOJ).
The DOJ created a special panel to investigate the murder charges but the panel cleared the Reyes brothers due to insufficient evidence.
In September 2011, the DOJ formed a new panel to review the decision regarding Ortega’s case after the family filed a petition for review.
In March 2012, the second panel created by the DOJ indicted the Reyes brothers contrary to the decision of the first panel.
The Palawan Regional Trial Court issued the arrest warrant against the two brothers but they were reported to have escaped from the country using fake passports ahead of the release of their arrest warrant.
After their warrant of arrest was issued, the International Police (Interpol) posted a Red Notice or an international arrest warrant.
The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) of the Philippine National Police (PNP) launched a manhunt operation against the Reyes brothers and created a special task group.
In August 2012, President Benigno Aquino III offered a reward of P2 million each for the arrest of high profile fugitives including the Reyes brothers.
In 2014, the CIDG continued its efforts to track the Reyes brothers.
In February 2015, the Royal Embassy of Thailand sent a letter to the Philippine Embassy confirming the entry of the Reyes brothers in Thailand.
In August, the CIDG re-invigorated the manhunt operations against high-profile fugitives including the Reyeses.
On September 8, the CIDG received an e-mail from an anonymous sender, saying that the Reyes brothers were in Phuket, Thailand. After this, the special investigation team communicated with the informant by phone.
On September 17, the CIDG, obtained information that the two brothers were in the Rawai area, south of Phuket, Thailand. The informant sent photos of the brothers, maps and photos of the villa where the two were allegedly staying.
On September 18, Thai Police conducted surveillance in the address provided by the CIDG.
The Thai Police took photos of the house and confirmed the presence of a white eco-sport vehicle allegedly used by the two brothers.
On September 20, Thai Police and the Interpol arrested the fugitive brothers.
On the afternoon of the same day, the CIDG got a text message from the Thai Police and the Interpol, saying “We got them.”
On September 21, the fugitive brothers were presented to the media in Phuket, Thailand.
On the same day, a five-man team from the CIDG left manila for Bangkok to coordinate the deportation of the Reyes brothers.
From September 21 to 24, the deportation papers of the Reyes brothers were arranged.
On Friday morning, the two arrived in the Philippines at 3:08 a.m. from Bangkok, Thailand, and were immediately brought to the PNP headquarters in Camp Crame, Quezon City.
As of posting time, the two are set to be flown to Palawan this Friday afternoon where murder charges were filed against him. CDG
Sources: Philippine National-Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group and Inquirer Archives
RELATED STORIES
Reyes brothers lived in a villa, drove an SUV as fugitives
Reyes brothers taken to Camp Crame after arrival from Bangkok
PH Embassy in Thailand confirms arrest of Reyes brothers
