PNP honors 3 officers for arrest of Reyes brothers

Three police officers who helped in the arrest of former Palawan governor Joel Reyes and his brother, former Coron mayor Mario Reyes, were among those honored by the Philippine National Police on Monday.

In a statement, the PNP said Superintendent Zacarias Noel Villegas and Chief Inspector Julius Garcia of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group's Detective and Special Operation Division, received the Medalya ng Kadakilaan "for their exceptionally commandable service" that led to the arrest of the Reyes brothers.

Villegas and Garcia "were directly involved" in intelligence and information build-up that pointed out the whereabouts of the Reyes brothers in Phuket, Thailand, the PNP said.

Meanwhile, Senior Superintendent Charlo Collado from the Directorate for Intelligence was awarded the Medalya ng Kagalingan for the same endeavor.

The Reyes brothers, suspects in the killing of Palawan-based environmentalist and broadcaster Gerry Ortega, fled to Thailand in February 2012. They were arrested there for overstaying last September 20 and deported to Manila days later.

The brothers were arrested by local authorities at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport last September 25, following their deportation.

After booking procedures at Camp Crame, they were flown to Puerto Princesa City, where they face murder charges.

During the arraignment on Friday, the brothers refused to enter a plea, prompting the Puerto Princesa Regional Trial Court Branch 52 to enter a not guilty plea on their behalf. - Rose-An Jessica Dioquino/KBK, GMA News