Another Ortega slay suspect surrenders

MANILA, Philippines - Another suspect in the Jan. 24 killing of broadcaster Gerry Ortega surrendered to authorities yesterday as the Department of Justice (DOJ) started preliminary investigation into the murder charge filed by the victim’s family against former Palawan Gov. Joel Reyes and others tagged in the murder.

Arwin Arandia, who was purportedly hired to kill Ortega but later backed out, was presented by running priest Robert Reyes to the DOJ panel of investigators led by Senior Assistant State Prosecutor Edwin Dayog.

Arandia told reporters at the DOJ he was supposed to carry out the murder through a deal with Rodolfo “ Junjun Bumar” Edrad Jr., who surrendered to authorities two weeks ago and admitted that he was the one who hired the gunman upon orders allegedly coming from Reyes.

“I was offered the job. But I did not have the guts to do it,” Arandia said in Filipino.

Asked who Edrad told him had ordered the killing, he replied: “Si gov daw po (It was gov).”

Although he admitted he was not aware that Edrad was referring to Reyes, the new witness recalled going to a house in Ayala Alabang Village in Muntinlupa City where he was given a down payment of P20,000 and where he also supposedly saw the name “Joel Reyes” outside the gate.

Arandia revealed that he and another suspect were initially paid P90,000. But Edrad asked them to return the money since they could not proceed with the plan.

He admitted that fear for his life prompted him to surrender as he appealed for protection from the government.

In yesterday’s hearing, Edrad and two other suspects – Valentin Lesias and Armando Noel alias Salbakuta – submitted their sworn statements to the investigating fiscals.

Dayog ordered Arandia and two other suspects in the custody of the National Bureau of Investigation – Dennis Aranas (alleged lookout) and Arturo Regalado – to submit their affidavits in the continuation of the hearing today.

Reyes did not appear at the hearing and instead sent his lawyer Ferdinand Topacio, who said his client was not prepared to answer the charges and submit a counter-affidavit since they have not received official summons and copy of the complaint yet.

But Ortega’s wife Patty believes that the excuse of Topacio was just a dilatory tactic.

Last Feb. 14, the widow sought the indictment of Reyes based on testimonies of several suspects who either surrendered or were arrested.

She also named Reyes’s brother and Coron Mayor Mario Reyes Jr., who purportedly gave the money to the gang hired to kill Ortega, and former Marinduque Gov. Jose Carreon as accessories to the crime.

Marlon Recamata, alias Marvin Alcaraz, was arrested earlier and had reportedly confessed before a court in the province last Feb.11 that he was the one who shot Ortega last Jan. 24.

Accompanied by lawyer Harry Roque Jr., the widow reiterated that she sees no reason not to believe Edrad’s admission, which was corroborated by the other arrested suspects.

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 loss of Mr. Joel Reyes in his bid to be elected as a member of the House of Representatives for the 2nd District of Palawan (in the last elections),” her complaint stated.

Reyes had already vehemently denied the allegation in a press conference in Manila, 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 Reyes’ claim that the accusation 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.

Earlier, she already filed a complaint for her husband’s murder against former provincial administrator Romeo Seratubias.

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