3 cops honored for Reyes brothers’ arrest

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine National Police (PNP) honored yesterday three police officers for the arrest of former Palawan governor Joel Reyes and his brother, former Coron mayor Joel Reyes.

Superintendent Zacarias Noel Villegas and Chief Inspector Julius Garcia, both of the Detective and Special Operation Division of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, were awarded the Medalya ng Kadakilaan.

Senior Superintendent Charlo Collado of the Directorate for Intelligence received the Medalya ng Kagalingan.

PNP chief Director General Ricardo Marquez said Villegas and Garcia were directly involved in intelligence and information buildup that led to the arrest of the Reyes brothers in Phuket, Thailand on Sept. 20.

The Reyeses were tagged as masterminds in the killing of journalist and environmentalist Gerardo Ortega in January 2011.