Philippine ex-governor, brother arrested in Thailand

[DEMONOCIETY]

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Philippine ex-governor, brother arrested in Thailand

MANILA, Philippines (AP) — A former Philippine provincial governor and his brother, who are among the country's most-wanted crime suspects for the 2011 murder of a radio anchor and prominent environmentalist, have been arrested in Thailand, officials said Monday.

Former Gov. Joel Reyes of western Palawan island province and his brother Mario Reyes, an ex-municipal mayor, were arrested Sunday by Thai police on the southern island of Phuket, said Philippine Justice Secretary Leila de Lima. She said Thai immigration authorities were processing the brothers' deportation papers.

The Philippine government has offered a 2 million peso ($43,000) reward each for information leading to the arrest of the brothers, who fled the Philippines after being implicated in the murder of Gerardo Ortega.

Thitirat Nongharnpitak, deputy chief of Thailand's Central Investigation Bureau, said one of the brothers was arrested for illegal immigration. The other came to Thailand legally but was arrested on the charge of overstaying his visa, he said, adding that both would be deported.

Ortega's family said Ortega may have been silenced for accusing officials including the Reyes brothers of alleged corruption involving funds from a natural gas project. He had also been a staunch critic of mining on Palawan, which is famous for its pristine beaches and virgin forests.

Ortega was brazenly shot on Jan. 24, 2011, at a used clothing store in downtown Puerto Princesa city, Palawan's provincial capital, by a self-confessed hit man who implicated the Reyes brothers and a former provincial administrator.

The brothers have denied the accusation, saying their political opponents were behind the charges.

"The arrest of the long-wanted Reyes brothers provides an opportunity for pursuing the ends of justice," presidential spokesman Herminio Coloma said. "We acknowledge the efforts of Interpol and Thai authorities in making this possible."

Mika Ortega, the slain environmentalist's daughter, also welcomed the arrests. But she told DZMM radio that there is a long fight ahead to make sure that the masterminds of the crime are convicted.

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Associated Press writer Nattasuda Anusonadisai in Bangkok contributed to this report.

SOURCE> Philippine ex-governor, brother arrested in Thailand


wa jud ko kitag saktong pontos na buhion nis prisohan ning mga amaw ang deportation mogasto na pud, patyon na lang unta sa mga thailand officials making the job more easier

[Gac]

Kas biya og kwarta ani... nganung kinahanglan paman gyud lokaton nis pilipinas ning mga in aning mga taong kriminal ipa massacre nalang onta ni didtos thailand..

[hax!]

ordinaryo pani nga kriminal patay nani. kay lagi politiko ug datu deport lang sa.

[digitalsuperman]

pwedi execute nalang na didto thailand? para menos gastos sa tax payers ba. payatakan sa mga elepanti didto dayon ilawog sa buaya ang patay nga lawas.