Add'l reward for Ecleo, Reyes brods proposed

MANILA, Philippines - Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Nicanor Bartolome said they have recommended P300,000 in additional reward each for the arrest of Dinagat Island Rep. Ruben Ecleo Jr., former Palawan governor Joel Reyes and his brother Coron, Palawan Mayor Mario Reyes.

“We are recommending P300,000 for each of the two brothers and another P300,000 also for Ecleo,” Bartolome said in a briefing.

The Reyes’ brothers, accused of masterminding the killing of broadcaster and environment advocate Gerry Ortega in January last year, already have P1.55-million reward for their arrest, while Ecleo has P150,000.

Ecleo, supreme master of the Philippine Benevolent Missionaries Association, was sentenced for the killing of his wife, Alona Bacolod, in January 2002.

Bartolome said the government has offered P1-million reward for the arrest of former military general Jovito Palparan accused in the kidnapping and torture of UP students Sherlyn Cadapan and Karen Empeno in 2006. 

Meanwhile, Bartolome handed over a total of P2.41 million in reward money to two informants for the arrest of 17 most wanted persons involved in rape and murder cases.

He said P250,000 reward will also be given to an informant for the arrest of Maguindanao massacre suspect Sahid Guiamadel.