Pics show Reyes brothers lived the life while hiding in Phuket

(Updated 8:42 p.m.) Hardly the stereotype of a fugitive life, former Palawan Governor Joel Reyes and his brother former Coron Mayor Mario Reyes were living it up at a villa in Phuket, Thailand before they were arrested by authorities and extradited to the Philipines, pictures released by authorities showed.

An email from an anonymous informant proved to be the breakthrough that the Philippine National Police was waiting for to arrest the accused masterminds in the killing of broadcaster Gerry Ortega

The informant sent photos showing the type of life the brothers had been living while in Thailand, including those showing them having drinks at a beach resort.






Within days after the first email was sent on September 8, the informant sent more information that the Reyes brothers were staying at a villa in the Rawai area in the south of Phuket.

On September 17, after being contacted by phone a few days back, the informant sent more information:

- Joel Reyes was going by the name "Johnny"
- Mario Reyes was using the name "Nicky"
- they were using a white Ford Eco Sport.

The CIDG then contacted Thai authorities through the Interpol to help end the four-year-old manhunt against the Reyeses.

After close coordination with the PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), Thai authorities went to arrest Joel and Mario Reyes on September 20.

"We got them," read the message CIDG investigators received from the Thai police at 2:06 p.m.

The CIDG said Thai authorities conducted surveillance operation in the area where the informant said the Reyes brothers were staying and confirmed the presence of the white Ford Eco Sport.

In a medical record obtained by the Thai authorities, it was also confirmed that former Palawan governor Joel Reyes was using the name “Johnny Leong”.

Four-year manhunt

The CIDG had been on the hunt for the Reyes brothers since a warrant of arrest was issued against them by the Palawan Regional Trial Court in March 2012 for the killing of Ortega on January 24, 2011.

Ortega had been critical of the Reyes brothers due to the illegal mining and logging in Palawan.

The Reyes brothers reportedly fled the country even before the arrest warrants were issued against them. However, there were also some reports saying that the siblings were seen in Masbate.

It was only in February last year when the Philippine Embassy received a letter from the Royal Embassy confirming the Reyeses' entry in Thailand.

Late last month, newly-appointed CIDG head Chief Supt. Victor Deona revived efforts to arrest the Reyes brothers, who were included in the Aquino administration's “Big Five Fugitives” list.

The “Big Five” includes other high-profile fugitives like retired General Jovito Palparan, Dinagat Island Representative Ruben Ecleo Jr., and Globe Asiatique developer Delfin Lee. Only Ecleo remains at large to this day.

'We never went into hiding'

Meanwhile, in a press conference following their arrival at the Puerto Princesa City Jail Friday afternoon, Joel Reyes insisted that he and his brother never went into hiding in Thailand.

“Hindi kami nagtatago doon [sa Thailand], hindi rin kami nakatago sa lungga,” Joel Reyes said.

Joel said that they were not arrested by Thai authorities but voluntarily surrendered.

“Lalabas sana ako para bibili ng gamot para kay Mayor Mario, paglabas ko ay mayroong humarang na sasakyan,” Reyes said.

“Sabi ko sa humarang 'do you have a warrant for our arrest?' sabi nila, 'No we dont'. Sabi ko bakit 'di kayo sumunod sa akin at pumasok sa bahay,” Joel Reyes further recounted.

Joel Reyes also belied reports that they were using fake passports, prompting Thai authorities to deport them. —NB/JST, GMA News