PNP-PIO photos
Arrested former Palawan governor Joel Reyes and ex-Coron mayor Mario Reyes will be flown to Puerto Princesa on Friday afternoon to return their warrants of arrest to the regional court.
Shortly before 12 noon, the Reyes brothers left the Philippine National Police headquarters in Camp Crame. They were escorted by Criminal Investigation and Detection Group personnel on a white coaster.
CIDG members brought the suspects to the terminal three of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia) for a 1:30 p.m. flight to Puerto Princesa.
Part of the procedure is to return the arrest warrant to the court. The court of origin then will release a commitment order and decide where the suspects will be detained.
The brothers were arrested in Thailand on Sunday and deported for violation of immigration laws. Upon their arrival at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia), they were met by Criminal Investigation and Detection Group officers who served the arrest warrants for them and placed the brothers in handcuffs.
READ: Reyes brothers taken to Camp Crame after arrival from Bangkok | Reyes brothers arrive in PH
The brothers were then brought by a police convoy to the CIDG headquarters in Camp Crame for booking procedures, which included a medical checkup, and the taking of fingerprints and mugshots. They arrived in the police camp at around 4 a.m.
Valmoria had tried to secure an “executive checkup” in a hospital in Metro Manila for the Reyes brothers, citing Mario’s fever and Joel’s hypertension.
But the doctors who conducted the medical check-up on the brothers had issued certificates that they were fit to travel, said CIDG National Capital Region chief Supt. Danilo Macerin. Valmoria also said the brothers were given medication for their ailments.
The brothers will be presented to the Palawan court which issued the warrants for their arrest for Ortega’s murder. “Surprisingly, [the CIDG] were able to make arrangements with the court,” Valmoria said, noting that today was a holiday.
The court is also expected to issue a commitment order for the Reyes brothers Friday.
Meanwhile, Ortega’s second daughter, Erika, accompanied by activist priest Fr. Robert Reyes, arrived in Camp Crame around noontime to thank the Philippine National Police, particularly the CIDG, for their efforts.
“We would like to thank them. We know they don’t have that much funds. But their heart to serve is there,” Erika said. “We thank everyone who helped, the volunteers. Those who never asked for anything back,” she added.
Erika said the Palawan-based Ortega family preferred that the Reyeses be detained in Palawan as it would give them an equal playing field. “Their [The Reyeses’] connections are also our connections there,” Erika pointed out. “We would be able to closely monitor [the case] in a territory that is both ours,” she added. Julliane Love de Jesus, Jaymee T. Gamil/IDL