Name mastermind, suspect in Ortega killing urged

Relatives of a Palawan-based broadcaster who was gunned down last month are relieved and hopeful with the surrender of a key suspect in the crime last weekend. A report by radio dzBB’s Palawan affiliate Monday said the family of Gerardo Ortega urged Rodolfo Edrad Jr. to tell all and name the mastermind behind the killing. The family members said that while they are heartened by Edrad’s surrender to authorities, they now want him to help them attain justice.

Last Saturday night, Edrad turned himself in to authorities in Quezon province and provided information on who ordered the killing. Edrad was tagged as the "Jun-Jun Bomar" who contracted the services of lookout Dennis Aranas and gunman Marlon de Camata to kill Ortega. Ortega was gunned down at a used-clothing store in Puerto Princesa City last Jan. 24, shortly after he finished his radio program for the day. Police arrested Dde Camata shortly after the shooting, while Aranas was arrested less than a week later. De Camata and Aranas pointed to "Bomar" as the one who recruited them. Edrad, Aranas and De Camata were charged for the killing along with Armando Noel Loria a.k.a. Jun-Jun Salbakuta a.k.a. Jun Loria; and lawyer Romeo Seratubias. De Camata had tagged Aranas as his companion in the kill job. De Camata admitted being offered P150,000 for the job. Investigators have also started verifying information given by Edrad, including the supposed masterminds of Ortega’s killing. The dzBB report said Edrad gave hints the masterminds were former politicians based in Southern Luzon, who ordered Ortega killed for P1 million. It said Edrad also claimed the masterminds had ordered the killing of at least two more Palawan-based broadcasters. — RSJ, GMA News