Ex-Palawan gov faces murder raps over Ortega slay

UPDATED 5:30 p.m. - The wife of slain broadcaster Gerry Ortega on Monday formally slapped murder charges against former Palawan Gov. Joel Reyes for his supposed order to kill her husband in January this year. In a five-page complaint affidavit filed with the Department of Justice (DOJ), Patria Gloria "Patty" Ortega also charged other government officials linked to the killing. Reyes had already denied ordering Ortega's death. "I firmly and categorically deny any involvement in this crime... It is clear from the way events are unfolding, that this is a well-funded and well-orchestrated operation," Reyes said during a press conference last Thursday. In an interview on GMA News' Unang Hirit on Monday, Reyes accused Puerto Princesa City Mayor Edward Hagedorn as allegedly launching a demolition job against him. "Sino pa ba ang nasa likod nito kundi si Mayor Ed Hagedorn (Who else can be behind this except Mayor Hagedorn)?" asked Reyes, who also said he would have no motive to order Ortega's killing.
Charge sheet Aside from Reyes, those listed on the charge sheet were:

Former Marinduque Gov. Jose Carreon,

Former Palawan provincial administrator Romeo Seratubias,

Coron, Palawan Mayor Mario Reyes,

Marlon Ricamata, the gunman;

Dennis Aranas, Ricamata's lookout,

Suspects Valentin Lesias, Arturo Regalado, Armando Noel,

Rodolfo "Bumar" Edrad Jr., a former close-in security aide of Joel Reyes and Carreon, and

Other John Does and Jane Does. The DOJ had already formed a panel of prosecutors after Patty filed her first complaint-affidavit earlier this month. The prosecutors will conduct a preliminary investigation to determine if there is probable cause to file murder charges against the suspects listed on the charge sheet. On January 24, Ortega was gunned down in Puerto Princesa City after his radio program for the day. Ortega, 47, was the main news anchor and commentator of Radyo Mo Nationwide's (RMN)'s Palawan station dwAR. Hagedorn earlier said Ortega may have been killed due to his hard-hitting stance against mining operations in Palawan. On Monday, Hagedorn likewise denied organizing a smear campaign against Reyes. He added that it was Edrad's camp that sought his help when Edrad wanted to surrender to authorities. "For two days, the police conducted an investigation. I only had a role when Bumar [Edrad] wanted to surrender, and he did not trust investigative bodies. He surrendered to me because his lawyer is a friend of my former councilor. That's why I went to Quezon to pick up the suspect. I was not the first to intervene," Hagedorn told GMA News' Unang Hirit.
For the latest Philippine news stories and videos, visit GMANews.TV Edrad as a witness Edrad, a prospective witness to the crime, alleged that Reyes ordered the killing because of Ortega's commentaries criticizing Reyes’ pro-mining stance. He likewise claimed that Coron Mayor Mario Reyes gave him money after Ortega was killed. Patty Ortega's lawyer, Harry Roque, said they had to charge Edrad because of his supposed participation in the killings. However, he may still be removed from the charge sheet and be made into a state witness. "He will be discharged," Roque told reporters at the DOJ. – VVP, GMA News