Anti-mining radio commentator shot dead in Palawan

MANILA, Philippines - A radio commentator who was a staunch critic of mining operations and local officials in Palawan was shot dead yesterday morning in Puerto Princesa City.

Radio Mindanao Network (RMN) commentator Gerardo Ortega was shot in the head and died on the spot.

Ortega was the anchor of the daily primetime program “Ramatak,” aired over dwAR, RMN’s local affiliate in Palawan.

An environmental advocate, Ortega had strongly opposed mining in Palawan.

Alleged gunman Marlon Dicamata de Chavez, alias Marvin Alcaraz, 31, a resident of Barangay Waling-Waling in Taguig City, was arrested after the shooting.

Chief Inspector Gregorio Olaguer, spokesman for the Police Regional Office 4B, said the shooting occurred at about 10:30 a.m. in front of the Dueksam motorcycle center in Barangay San Pedro.

Senior Inspector Emeline Herrera, chief of police of Palawan’s San Vicente town, and her driver, Police Officer 1 Glenn Abonillo, were in the area during the shooting incident and they immediately arrested De Chavez.

Herrera seized from the suspect a .45 caliber pistol with one magazine and four live ammunitions.

Investigators theorized the suspect carried out the attack with a companion, who is now the subject of manhunt operations.

“Dr. Ortega reportedly had been connected with a crocodile farm but now owns a pet shop near the place of the incident,” Olaguer added.

Probers started conducting interviews with witnesses that included Ortega’s bodyguard Juanito Ortega, 44, and Jennely Eledero, 29, a saleslady at the nearby Baguio Wagwagan garments store.

Socio-civic leader Gina Lopez told The STAR that Ortega was project manager in Puerto Princesa City for her environment protection projects.

Lopez said she had just spoken with Ortega about their plan to launch a campaign to gather 10 million signatures to protest mining operations that damage the environment in Palawan.

“He’s going to launch an anti-mining campaign, like no mining in Palawan at all, we’ll get 10 million signatures, and he is my prime mover there,” Lopez said.

She said Ortega was about to talk to a lawyer to get legal advice on the plan. She said that they did not talk about any threat to Ortega.

Lopez said that Ortega’s wife sent her a text message that Ortega was shot.

“I think it’s his passion to stop the mining, he really wanted to protect the environment. Palawan is rich in bio-diversity with 17 protected areas and the people don’t want it (mining). He died for what he stood for. He loves Palawan, he wanted to save it in his radio program,” Lopez noted.     

Lopez said Ortega had been an active advocate for the protection of the environment.

“He has been with the movement for four years, it has been his personal advocacy, and I believe in him.”

She said the suspect could be a hired assassin.

“The guy that shot him was from Taguig. Why would someone from Taguig go to Puerto Princesa? Why would he shoot a guy who doesn’t look rich, he was wearing shorts and sandals.”

Police sources said the .45 caliber pistol used by the suspect in the killing was traced to a government official that supported mining operations in Palawan.

Rowena Paraan, secretary-general of the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines, said Ortega was the 142nd journalist killed since 1986 and the second murdered during the Aquino administration.

The Cagayan de Oro chapter of the NUJP condemned “in strongest terms possible” Dr. Ortega’s killing and called on government to serve justice “without fear or favor.”

If the killing is proven to be work-related, he would be the second to be murdered under President Aquino, said Paraan.

The first was radio reporter Miguel Belen of Iriga, Camarines Sur.

Puerto Princesa City Mayor Edward Hagedorn vowed to give justice to Ortega and his family.

“I will see to it that justice is rendered to Ortega and we shall give reward to those who chased the gunman and eventually nabbed him,” Hagedorn said.

“I condole with the victim’s family and I will personally follow up the investigation and prosecution of those responsible for this mayhem,” he added.

Palawan Gov. Abraham Mitra denounced the killing of Ortega.

Mitra said he ordered the Philippine National Police provincial office to conduct a thorough investigation and bring to justice the perpetrators of the crime.

“The assault on Dr. Ortega is also an assault to all Palaweños,” Mitra said. “Let’s leave it to the police to investigate and to get to the bottom of the case.”

Palawan Rep. Antonio Alvarez said he was saddened by the slaying of Ortega, a former provincial board member and veterinarian by profession.

“Doc Gerry was more than a radio commentator, he was also a wildlife conservationist, a public servant, an anti-graft crusader, roles which he played with guts, grit and gravitas,” Alvarez said. – With Artemio Dumlao, Paolo Romero