Palace: Bounty for Reyes brothers possible

MANILA, Philippines - Malacañang said yesterday the government could put up a bounty for the arrest of former Palawan governor Joel Reyes and his brother Coron Mayor Mario Reyes Jr. if they would not surrender or be arrested immediately.

“It has happened in the past when the initial efforts failed to effect the arrest,” deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said.

Earlier, the Palace gave assurance that the warrants of arrest issued against the two would be enforced,

Presidential Spokesman Edwin Lacierda clarified an earlier statement that the government would give the Reyes brothers time to surrender.

Lacierda said the arrest warrants would have to be immediately enforced once issued by the court.  

Valte allayed fears raised by certain groups that Reyes was being protected by Palawan Gov. Abraham Mitra, a member of the ruling Liberal Party.

Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo said “all available resources would be used” to secure the arrest of the Reyes brothers, who had gone into hiding when arrest warrants were issued against them for the murder of Palawan broadcaster Gerry Ortega in January last year.

Robredo said he also recalled the leave of absence of the Coron mayor.

In a statement issued Thursday night, Reyes said he would answer the accusations against him in due time.

“I’m just here, hiding in your hearts. Not to run away from justice but to avoid their continuing persecution and baseless allegation,” he said in Filipino in an audio recording e-mailed to media networks.