Key suspect in Palawan broadcaster's slay yields

(Updated 7:43 p.m.) One of the key suspects in the killing of Palawan-based broadcaster Gerardo Ortega surrendered to authorities in Quezon province on Saturday night. Rodolfo Edrad Jr., alias Jun-Jun Bomar, turned himself in to police and National Bureau of Investigation agents in Lopez town in Quezon province, radio dzBB's Palawan affiliate reported Sunday. Shortly after his surrender, Edrad was brought to the NBI headquarters on Taft Avenue in Manila, NBI-Palawan chief Rosauro Bautista told GMA News Online in a phone interview. "Edrad submitted himself to us at around 10 in the evening. He surrendered very peacefully," Bautista said. Bautista declined to share some of Edrad's testimony, as an inquiry by the bureau with the suspect is still ongoing as of posting time. Affidavit "Patuloy pa rin kami ngayon sa paghahanda ng affidavit niya. Bukas na lang namin sasabihin sa inyo (We are still preparing his affidavit. We will tell you tomorrow)," Bautista said, adding that NBI director Magtanggol Gatdula will have a press briefing on Monday. The dzBB said Edrad provided information on who ordered Ortega's killing. He reportedly said the masterminds were former politicians from Southern Luzon. Those politicians — who allegedly killed two more Palawan-based journalists — allegedly ordered Ortega killed for P1 million, the suspect was quoted as saying. Investigators have already started verifying the information Edrad disclosed. In a separate report on radio dzXL, Puerto Princesa City Mayor Edward Hagedorn said Edrad surrendered because he feared for his family's safety. Hagedorn said he has assured Edrad of security for him and his family.
P150,000 for the job According to reports, Edrad contracted the services of lookout Dennis Aranas and gunman Marlon de Camata to kill Ortega. Shortly after finishing his radio program on Jan. 24, Ortega was gunned down in a used-clothing store in Puerto Princesa City. De Camata was arrested after the shooting, while Aranas was arrested days later. De Camata had tagged Aranas as his companion in the Ortega killing, and admitted being offered P150,000 for the job. "Bomar" supposedly recruited them, according to De Camata and Aranas’s statement. Apart from the three, charged with the killing were Armando Noel Loria, also known as Jun-Jun Salbakuta and Jun Loria, and lawyer Romeo Seratubias. Seratubias was said to own the gun used in the killing. Police said the firearm was sold last Jan. 15 to one Valicias, who sold it to one Nonoy Regalado. Media killings Ortega was listed as the 142nd victim of violence against media practitioners since the Philippines regained its democracy from a dictator ruler. The National Union Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) said if it is proven that Ortega's killing is work-related, he would be the second journalist to be murdered under President Benigno Aquino III's administration. A commentator or dwAR, Ortega had publicly campaigned against mining operations in Palawan. He used to head an eco-tourism project in the province supported by the charitable arm of broadcaster ABS-CBN. Ortega, a former gubernatorial candidate, was also a vocal critic of the province's governor.— With Jesse Edep/VS/KBK, GMA News Online