Ortega family files murder raps vs ex-Palawan executive

MANILA, Philippines - The family of slain radio broadcaster Gerry Ortega filed yesterday murder charges at the Department of Justice (DOJ) against former Palawan Governor Joel Reyes, whom they claimed was the mastermind of the killing last month in Puerto Princesa City.

Ortega’s wife Patty sought the indictment of Reyes based on testimonies of several suspects who had surrendered or were arrested and implicated the former governor in the murder.

She also named Reyes’ brother and Mayor Mario Reyes Jr. of Coron, Palawan, who purportedly gave the money to hire the gunman who killed Ortega, and former Marinduque Governor Jose Carreon, as accessories to the crime.

One of the suspects, Rodolfo Edrad, surrendered to authorities last weekend and admitted that he hired gunman Marlon Ricamata allegedly upon orders of Reyes.

Ricamata, alias Marvin Alcaraz, was also arrested and reportedly confessed before a court in the province last Friday that he was the one who shot Ortega last Jan. 24.

Aside from being a radio commentator of dwAR, Ortega was an environmental advocate and program manager of the Philippine Ecotourism Palawan of ABS-CBN Foundation.

The National Bureau of Investigation also arrested three other suspects identified as Dennis Aranas, the alleged lookout, Arturo Regalado and Valentin Lesias.

Mrs. Ortega said she sees no reason not to believe Edrad’s admission, which was corroborated by the other arrested suspects.

“All of those arrested were pointing to him (Reyes). Their testimonies corroborate one another. At first, I didn’t know who it really was until his men already surfaced and confessed (to the killing),” Mrs. Ortega said.

In her supplemental complaint-affidavit, she alleged that Reyes had an axe to grind against her husband.

“Doc Gerry’s commentaries and criticisms on these issues (on mining and corruption in Palawan) contributed to the defeat of the former governor in his bid to be a congressman for the 2nd district of Palawan (in the last elections),” her complaint stated.

Reyes vehemently denied the allegation in a press conference in Manila last week, saying he was a friend of Mrs. Ortega.

But the widow denied being a friend of the former governor.

“He said we are friends. That’s not true. You see he’s really a bad guy,” she said.

She also contested the claim of Reyes that his being implicated was politically motivated, as shown by the intervention in the investigation by his rival and now Puerto Princesa Mayor Edward Hagedorn.

“This is not about political rivalry. It’s about Doc Gerry’s campaign against mining in the province. He (Reyes) was known to be a supporter of mining operations and Doc Gerry’s criticisms in his radio program, we believe, had caused him (Reyes) his election bid last year,” she stressed.

Mrs. Ortega also vowed to continue the cause of her slain husband and revealed that they have started a campaign to gather 10 million signatures nationwide to stop mining operations in the province.

“Of course, we are afraid for our safety. But we are doing this for our future generations,” she added.

Accompanied by lawyer Harry Roque Jr., Mrs. Ortega filed the complaint with Senior Assistant State Prosecutor Edwin Dayog, who was tapped to head the DOJ panel to conduct preliminary investigation on the murder complaint.

She had already filed murder charges against former provincial administrator Romeo Seratubias.

Seratubias was tagged in the murder because the gun used was registered under his name, although he denied involvement in Ortega’s killing and claimed that he had sold the firearm long ago.  

Meanwhile, Mrs. Ortega urged the Senate to investigate former Governor Reyes in connection with the anomalous Malampaya natural gas project, where she claimed the ex-governor had profited.

“Today, I have appealed to the Senate to conduct an investigation of the Malampaya money that has gone to Palawan since Reyes began as governor in 2003. This is the proverbial Pandora’s box that not only will unmask the corruption of Joel T. Reyes but also expose the wrongdoings of his close relatives and trusted individuals who have participated in the unabashed rape and plunder of the national patrimony,” said she in a statement.

She said Reyes’ lifestyle belies the results of his brazen act of stealing from his people.

“He has mastered the art of laundering wealth, distributing his assets among his relatives and associates,” she also said in her statement.

Lawyer Ferdinand Topacio, counsel of Reyes, said “we do not wish to react anymore to her statement out of respect to her and her loss.”

“It is our hope and prayer that she would soon be enlightened by the truth,” Topacio said. – With Sandy Araneta