Slain broadcaster gets 'last tour' before burial in Palawan

A Palawan-based broadcaster who was shot dead earlier this week got a "last tour" in Puerto Princesa City, two days before his burial on Sunday. Radio dzBB's Palawan affiliate reported Friday the remains of Gerardo Ortega were brought to dwAR station (where he used to work) from Sta. Monica Church. Ortega's remains were also brought to his alma mater, Holy Trinity University, and to the crocodile farm he once managed. The broadcaster, who was gunned down at an ukay-ukay (used clothing) store Monday, is scheduled to be buried this Sunday, the dzBB report said. Police had charged at least five people, including a former provincial administrator and two suspected gunmen, for the crime. Charged were gunman Marlon de Camata, Dennis Aranas, Armando Noel Loria a.k.a. Jun-Jun Salbakuta and Jun Loria, Jun-Jun Bomar, and lawyer Romeo Seratubias. Seratubias was said to be the owner of the firearm used in the killing. Police said the firearm was sold last Jan. 15 to one Valicias, who sold it to one Nonoy Regalado. Police have started a hunt for Aranas, who De Camata said was his companion in the kill job and for which De Camata admitted being offered P150,000. Puerto Princesa City Mayor Edward Hagedorn, who suspects the killing may be due to Ortega's hard-hitting stance against mining, ordered police to protect Ortega's family as well as De Camata's. De Camata, who was arrested shortly after killing Ortega in Puerto Princesa City, told police he was only paid P20,000 so far. He said he and Aranas were approached in Quezon province by Bomar and Loria, who told them they were to kill someone. Investigators said De Camata and Aranas were to meet up north of the city after the shooting, then escape. But they said De Camata may have been confused by the commotion — and the public address system of local firefighters calling on the public to help barricade the area — and fled in a different direction and was eventually caught. At the time, he already threw the pistol into a trash bin and had changed his shirt. — LBG/JE, GMANews.TV