Bureau of Immigration info puts Reyes in Phuket

Former Palawan Governor Joel T. Reyes INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

The Bureau of Immigration (BI) on Wednesday said they have information that fugitive ex-Palawan Governor Joel Reyes is in Phuket, Thailand.

Immigration Chief Ricardo David Jr. disclosed that the bureau has monitored Reyes’ movements under the alias Joseph Lim Pe and believe he is now in Phuket, a popular island getaway in Thailand.

Reyes, who is wanted together with his brother Mario for the murder of environmentalist and radio broadcaster Dr. Gerry Ortega, was earlier reported to have entered Vietnam.

“As far as the lead of entry of an individual under the name of Joseph Lim Pe, (it shows) he went to Vietnam and then to Phuket, Thailand,” David told reporters in an interview a day after President Benigno Aquino gave the bureau a dressing down for  lackluster performance.

He also added that someone using Pe’s identity, had left Phuket once for Malaysia, but returned after a few days.

David admitted the bureau had no capability to actually trail  Reyes and his brother, noting that it was already a police matter. “But because of our rapport with [our counterparts abroad, we were able to obtain this information],” he said.

David said he had already passed on the information to the Philippine National Police and the Department of Justice to aid in Reyes’ arrest with the help of the interpol and neighboring governments.

On its 72nd anniversary on Tuesday, Mr. Aquino scolded bureau officials for the escape of Reyes and his brother Mario.

In a statement issued Wednesday, the immigration chief   vowed to get rid of crooks in the bureau, saying that the BI personnel completely accepted the President’s admonition and understood his disappointment.

“We accept the President’s message and we understand his disappointment. But we will not allow a few crooks in our ranks to destroy our bureau,” stated David. “Sooner than later, we will remove them from their jobs.”