Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — Former Palawan Gov. Joel Reyes and his brother, former Coron Mayor Mario Reyes, who have been accused in the 2011 murder of journalist Gerry Ortega, were flown to Palawan on Friday (September 25).
The brothers are to be presented before the Puerto Princesa Regional Trial Court (RTC), which issued arrest warrants against them. The two boarded Philippine Airlines flight PR 2785 bound for Puerto Princesa at 1:10 p.m and arrived at their destination at 2:22 p.m.
Turned over to Puerto Princesa jail
Before their anticipated arrival, the police tightened security within the Puerto Princesa airport’s premises.
Supporters of the Reyeses also waited at the airport clad in yellow shirts and waving yellow ribbons to welcome them. But the two were fetched straight from the plane and did not exit through the arrival area.
They were taken by a convoy to the Palawan Police Office, where they arrived past 2 p.m.
Joel and Mario, who underwent medical check-up, were said to have high blood pressure. Mario who is reportedly nursing a fever, maintained an exuberant mood when they arrived.
Earlier, Demi Custodio, lawyer of the Reyes brothers, said he hoped that the police would delay its plan to send the two back to Palawan as Mario has a fever and needs medical attention. He added that the former Coron mayor is also suffering from diabetes and hypertension.
The two were then brought to the Palawan RTC at 3:30 p.m.
Currently, they are at the Puerto Princesa City Jail. Jail authorities told media the commitment order is still in process.
Who helped them leave the Philippines?
The Philippine National Police (PNP) said the brothers managed to leave the country as early as March 2012. The two allegedly used fake documents, such as Philippine passports under new names, and lived in a villa in Phuket, a known tourist spot in Thailand. They were reportedly also setting up a fitness center there.
The PNP added that it is still investigating who helped them leave the country, who coddled them while they were abroad, and who sent them money to maintain their lifestyle.
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Deportation timeline
The PNP said an anonymous tipster sent an email to its Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) saying that he or she knew the whereabouts of the brothers.
It took a week for the CIDG to gain the trust of the source. On September 17, the informant gave the location of the brothers, the vehicle they were using, and their aliases.
The information was sent to Interpol in Thailand for verification, and on September 18 the Royal Thai Police confirmed the existence of the address
On September 20, the Reyes brothers were arrested by Thai authorities — not because of the alleged murder, but for overstaying in Thailand.
Related: Thai police nab 2 suspects in murder of Filipino radio commentator
When Thai police presented them to media, they maintained their innocence and vowed to answer all charges against them.
Related: Ortega slay: Suspect brothers to be deported to Manila soon
They were deported from Thailand on Thursday night (September 24) and were served arrest warrants by the CIDG upon arrival in Manila early Friday morning (September 25).
Related: Reyes brothers arrive, detained in Camp Crame
CNN Philippines’ Gerg Cahiles, Rex Remitio, and string correspondent Keith Anthony Fabro, who reported from Puerto Princesa, contributed to this report.
