PNP: 5th suspect in Palawan broadcaster's slay in custody

Another suspect in the killing of Palawan broadcaster Gerardo Ortega in January this year is now in the custody of authorities, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said on Friday. The PNP said Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo lauded police in Donsol (Sorsogon) and Quezon province for the arrest of Armando Noel Loria a.k.a. Jun-Jun Salbakuta. "Citing reports from Senior Superintendent Erickson Velasquez, director of the Quezon Provincial Police Office, Robredo said the suspect identified as Armando Noel Loria alias 'Junjun Salbakuta' was arrested in his hideout in Donsol, Sorsogon," the PNP said in a news release posted on its website on Friday. A separate report on dzBB radio Friday afternoon said Loria is now in the custody of the National Bureau of Investigation. Earlier, the NBI said another key suspect in the case is in its custody and has given authorities more information about the killing. NBI Palawan field office head Rosauro Bautista on Thursday described the suspect, Arturo "Nonoy" Regalado, as a former aide of former Palawan Governor Joel Reyes, who had earlier denied any role in the killing. "Siya po yung napag-utusan na maghanap ng baril sa Palawan. Mahirap dalhin ang baril from Manila, sila ang nagpakuha ng baril sa Palawan," Bautista said in an interview on dzRH radio. (He was tasked to find a firearm in Palawan for the kill job. The mastermind had figured it would be difficult to bring in a firearm from Metro Manila, so the mastermind had him procure a firearm in Palawan.) Regalado was allegedly the buyer of a firearm originally owned by lawyer Romeo Seratubias, one of at least five people charged for the killing. Five people charged Those who have been charged so far for Ortega's killing were gunman Marlon de Camata, lookout Dennis Aranas, "recruiter" Rodolfo Edrad Jr., and Loria and Seratubias. De Camata, Aranas, Edrad, Loria and Regalado are now in custody. The police arrested De Camata shortly after the shooting. Aranas was arrested less than a week later. The two pointed to Edrad as the one who recruited them. On the other hand, former governor Reyes denied any role in the killing, even as he said he is conducting his own investigation. He described Edrad - who had linked him to the killing - as a "polluted" witness. Police arrested De Camata shortly after the shooting, while Aranas was arrested less than a week later. De Camata and Aranas pointed to Edrad as the one who recruited them. – VVP, GMA News