2nd suspect in Palawan broadcaster’s killing falls

A second suspect in the killing of a Palawan broadcaster last Monday was arrested after “negotiations" with police in Quezon province. Police said Dennis Aranas, the supposed lookout in the killing of Gerardo Ortega, intended to surrender to Quezon provincial police, but hesitated at the last minute. “He agreed at first to surrender. But when our men came to fetch him, he hesitated so he was arrested," Quezon provincial police chief Senior Superintendent Erickson Velasquez said in an interview on dzRH radio. Citing information reaching him, he said Aranas was not armed during the arrest, which was done in coordination with Palawan police. Velasquez said the Quezon police have an “interest" in the case because the plot to kill Ortega was hatched in the province. A report on dzBB radio said Aranas was placed in the custody of the Philippine National Police’s Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG). Puerto Princesa City Mayor Edward Hagedorn said Aranas was brought to the Quezon provincial police office in Lucena City Friday night, but the suspect was to be brought to Puerto Princesa City Saturday for inquest. In a separate interview on dzRH radio, Hagedorn also disclosed they have increased the reward for information leading to the arrest of the other suspects. He said the reward money, which was initially set at P500,000, is now at P1.3 million. “May sinimula kaming maliit na pondo para sa reward para mahuli ang mastermind. Nagsimula sa P500,000 pero umabot na sa P1.3 million ang reward (We began with P500,000 but the pot has grown to P1.3 million)," he said. Ortega, who was shot dead at an ukay-ukay (used clothing) store last Monday, is to be buried this Sunday. Police had charged at least five people, including Aranas and a former provincial administrator and two suspected gunmen, for the crime. Charged along with Aranas were gunman Marlon de Camata; Armando Noel Loria, a.k.a. Jun-Jun Salbakuta, Jun Loria; Jun-Jun Bomar; and former Palawan provincial administrator lawyer Romeo Seratubias. The firearm used in the killing was initially traced to Seratubias, who told investigators later that he had sold the gun long before the killing took place. Police said the firearm was sold last Jan. 15 to one Percival Lesias, who sold it to one Nonoy Regalado. De Camata had tagged Aranas as his companion in the kill job. De Camata admitted being offered P150,000 for the job. De Camata, who was arrested shortly after gunning down Ortega in Puerto Princesa City, told police he was offered P150,000 for the kill job but only paid P20,000 so far. He said he and Aranas were approached in Quezon province by Bomar and Deloria, who told them they were to kill someone. — LBG, GMANews.TV