Killing of witnesses in Ortega case hit

MANILA, Philippines - Sen. Teofisto Guingona III and Puerto Princesa Gov. Edward Hagedorn have joined the family of slain radio commentator Gerry Ortega in expressing concern over what seemed to be a pattern of silencing witnesses in the two-year-old murder case.

Guingona and Hagedorn expressed concern that other witnesses in the murder case might suffer the same fate as Dennis Aranas and Percival Lecias, who both ended up dead under mysterious circumstances.

Guingona said he would continue the Senate probe on the alleged misuse of the Malampaya fund, which was the subject of Ortega’s expose before his murder.

Guingona also challenged the courts to speed up resolution of the case.

“This is a case of primary importance. Just like the case of the Maguindanao-Ampatuan massacre, this is a case about a grave injustice done to one man, Doc Gerry who spoke the truth,” Guingona said.

“I challenge the justices of the CA (Court of Appeals) to make the proper discernment in upholding the law and dispensing justice for everyone,” he added.

Hagedorn expressed fear for the life of Rodolfo “Bumar” Edrad Jr., former close-in bodyguard of former Marinduque governor Jose Antonio Carreon, who allegedly arranged the mobilization of people to kill Ortega.

Edrad reportedly bought the gun used in the killing.

Guingona and Hagedorn also noted loopholes in the Witness Protection Program, which failed to protect the witnesses in the Ortega murder case.

“I fear for the life of the main witness, Bumar, who is now being accused in a case in Lucena and he is being booted out of the Witness Protection Program.  That’s scary. Soon he might end up committing suicide,” Hagedorn said after attending the Senate Blue Ribbon committee hearing on the alleged misuse of the Malampaya funds.

Ortega’s wife, Pat and daughter Mika reiterated during the hearing their concern that the second suspect-turned-witness, Aranas, may have been killed although he was initially considered a suicide.

They reiterated the call to bring the brains in the killing to justice.

During the hearing, Rosario Elena Cuevas, state counsel from the Department of Justice, explained that Aranas was taken out of the Witness Protection Program in April 2012 because his statements were not critical to the case.

Aranas, detained at the Quezon Provincial District Jail, was found dead inside his cell with the strap of a bag looped around his neck. Jail guards untied Aranas and brought him to the hospital where he was pronounced dead.

The police said they would look into possible lapses committed by jail guards in custody of Aranas.

Philippine National Police (PNP) spokesman Chief Superintendent Generoso Cerbo Jr. said the jail guards under the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) who were on duty at the time will have to explain why they did not immediately notify the police about the death of Aranas.

“The BJMP has a lot of investigating to do – criminal, administrative aspects as to the procedure,” Cerbo said.

Cerbo added Chief Inspector Job de Mesa, Lucena City police chief, has secured the statements of two inmates and two jail officers who could shed light on the incident.

He said the relatives of Aranas have sought the help of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) for autopsy to determine if there was foul play.

“Let’s wait for the result of the investigation and possibly file charges,” he added. – With Cecille Suerte Felipe