Ortega slay witness has pending arrest warrant

Manila, Philippines - A state witness in the killing of Palawan broadcaster Gerry Ortega has a pending warrant of arrest for murder issued by the Lucena City regional trial court, a lawyer of former Palawan governor Joel Reyes said yesterday.

Lawyer Ferdinand Topacio told reporters during the weekly Balitaan sa Rembrandt Hotel that Rodolfo “Bumar” Edrad Jr., who is now under the government’s witness protection program, has a standing warrant of arrest for the murder of a certain Walfredo Matillano in March 2007.

Topacio said he would ask Justice Secretary Leila de Lima to remove Edrad from the witness protection program because under the law, a person must have no other pending cases before being admitted as state witness.

“Bumar is not qualified to become a state witness because he has a pending arrest warrant for murder,” he said.

Before an accused becomes a state witness, Topacio said he must execute an affidavit that he has no other pending cases.

Under Republic Act 6981 or the Witness Protection, Security and Benefit Act, any witness who testifies falsely or evasively shall be liable for prosecution.

Edrad, the principal witness in the Ortega killing, has tagged Reyes as the alleged mastermind. But Reyes has denied this, saying that Edrad lacks credibility.

Ortega was shot dead in an ukay-ukay (imported used clothes) store in Puerto Princesa City last Jan. 24.

The alleged lone gunman, Marlon Ricamata, was arrested, together with his alleged lookout, Dennis Aranas.

Reyes has also denied Edrad’s allegation that they discussed the plot to kill Ortega at a Pasay City hotel last December and that he gave Edrad P150,000 then.