Policemen escort Joel Reyes (2nd right) and his brother Mario Reyes (not shown) as they arrive at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport on Friday. The two, wanted over the murder of environmentalist and journalist, Gerry Ortega, in 2011 were been arrested in Thailand after more than three years on the run. Noel Celis, AFP/File

MANILA (UPDATED) — Former Palawan governor Joel Reyes, who was tagged in the murder of environmentalist Gerry Ortega in 2011, has voluntarily surrendered to the National Bureau of Investigation.

Reyes is allegedly the mastermind behind the murder of environmentalist Ortega in Puerto Princesa in January 2011.

Ortega, who was also a veterinarian and program manager of the Philippine Ecotourism Palawan of the ABS-CBN Foundation, was shot in the head by a lone gunman on January 24, 2011 in San Pedro Village, Puerto Princesa City.

He was a staunch critic of the then-governor and of mining operations in the island province, according to the statement released by the National Union of Journalists in the Philippines.

READ: A 13-year fight for justice in Philippine activist's murder

According to Reyes’ lawyers, it was only recently that the Supreme Court Second Division transferred his case to Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 76.

Reyes is currently confined in a hospital in Quezon City due to his medical condition.

He coordinated his surrender through his legal counsel from the Custodio Acorda Sicam de Castro Brillantes & Hizon Law Offices by sending a “surrender-feeler,” indicating his intention to voluntarily face the criminal charges against him. 

On Tuesday, he underwent booking procedures at the NBI. He is now under the watch of NBI operatives while waiting for further instructions from the court.

In July 2023, the Supreme Court ordered the Puerto Princesa regional trial court to re-arrest Reyes. 

Reyes ran for Palawan governor and lost in the 2022 elections. Comelec later disqualified him for being an escaped prisoner and a fugitive from justice when he fled to another country after his indictment for the murder of Ortega.

Reyes and his brother, former Coron town mayor Mario Reyes, are facing murder charges related to the death of Ortega, along with eight others.

READ: SC orders re-arrest of ex-Palawan gov. over involvement in killing of broadcaster

Prosecutors had initially cleared the Reyes brothers of involvement in Ortega's death, but in March 2012, they reversed their decision and pressed charges against them. 

The brothers fled to Thailand, where they were arrested and eventually deported back to the Philippines in 2015. Reyes was released in 2018 after the court voided the case against him, but the charges were reinstated nearly two years later.