Ex-Palawan governor denies hand in Ortega slay

MANILA, Philippines -  Former Palawan governor Joel Reyes yesterday denied allegations linking him to the assassination of broadcaster Gerardo Ortega last Jan. 24.

“Even as we strive to get justice for the victim, there also must be justice for those whose names are irresponsibly and unfairly drawn into the case,” Reyes said in a statement.

Reyes said he decided to cut short his three-week vacation abroad after learning “some news reports mentioned my name in connection with those who have been linked to the incident.”

“Save for the initial reports on this matter, nowhere does my name appear in the list of those suspected of having anything to do with the crime,” Reyes said.

“Unfortunately, this has not precluded others in the political field from trying to link my name with the suspects.”

Reyes said that in his 21 years in public service there have been critics, particularly during his term as Palawan governor when he carried out his reforms and policies in the province.

“In those years, I said nothing, did nothing to stifle the dissenting comments and observations. I therefore find it absolutely irrational for me to be linked to the slaying of a critic when I am already out of government service,” he said.

Rolando Bonoan, provincial board member of the second district of Palawan also denied any link to the murder of Ortega. Bonoan also served as spokesman for Reyes.

Bonoan denied reports linking him to the report of the Commission on Audit (COA) that said the former governor and members of the provincial board were allegedly behind the irregular transactions in the provincial government, which became the subject of Ortega’s tirades in his radio program.

Puerto Princesa City Police chief Senior Superintendent Rolando Amurao said there is no direct evidence to link Reyes to the murder of Ortega.

Although the gun used in the murder reportedly belonged to former provincial administrator Romeo Seratubias, Amurao said this is not enough evidence to implicate the former governor in the crime.

Police said they are optimistic that they would arrest one of the two suspects in the murder, which they considered as the “missing link” to the mastermind.

Amurao said manhunt operations have been intensified against suspects Rodolfo Edrad alias Bumar; and Armando Noel, alias Salbakuta.

“Bumar (Edrad) is the missing link to the mastermind in the murder of Dr. Ortega. We are hopeful to arrest him soon,” Amurao said.

He said Edrad was the contact of the gunman.

The self-confessed killer, Marlon Recamata, was arrested shortly after killing Ortega in front of a used clothing store in Puerto Princesa City last Jan. 24.

Police seized from Recamata the murder weapon, a .45 caliber pistol that was later traced to the ownership of Seratubias, who said he had already sold the gun even before the killing.

Recamata said Bumar had convinced him to kill Ortega.

Recamata said he felt remorse after learning that the people in the province dearly loved the man he had killed.

Amurao also noted Edrad was identified by a witness, Nonoy Regalado, who had tasked him to buy the firearm.

Regalado had confessed contacting Percival Lecias to look for a firearm, which was purchased from Seratubias.

“So far we have established the role of each suspect, what we are looking for is the mastermind,” Amurao said.

Police said Dennis Aranas, who served as lookout of Recamata, was arrested in Quezon a few days ago.

Police said the remaining suspects are still hiding somewhere in Quezon.