Link to Ortega slay brains surrenders

MANILA, Philippines - The purported link to the mastermind in the killing of Palawan environmental advocate and broadcaster Gerardo Ortega surrendered to authorities Saturday night, it was learned yesterday.

Rodolfo Edrad Jr., alias Bumar, who allegedly hired the gunman who killed Ortega, surrendered to Puerto Princesa Mayor Edward Hagedorn and agents of the National Bureau of Investigation in Gumaca, Quezon, and was flown to NBI headquarters in Manila.

“He is very cooperative. He peacefully surrendered to us. He will be in the temporary custody of the NBI before he is brought to Palawan,” NBI head agent Ross Bautista told reporters at the agency headquarters yesterday.

Bautista said Edrad, who is still considered a suspect in the killing, has requested for security for himself and his family.

Edrad refused to talk to reporters, but his lawyer Fidel Arias confirmed that he hid from authorities at his friends’ house in Gumaca. The counsel added that his client would reveal everything he knows at the right time and proper venue.

His testimony would make him a state witness, the lawyer added.

Edrad was reportedly the former aide of Marinduque Gov. Jose Antonio Carrion. He was also a Marine soldier discharged from the service following the failed Oakwood mutiny in 2003.

Ortega, also the program manager of the Philippine Ecotourism Palawan of the ABS-CBN Foundation, was shot dead in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan last Jan. 24.

Police have already arrested Marlon Recamata de Chavez, alias Marvin Alcaraz, who admitted to having been hired to kill Ortega. It was supposedly Edrad who gave them the money.

Puerto Princesa police chief Superintendent Rolando Amurao said Edrad was considered the “missing link” to the mastermind in the murder of Ortega.

Recamata confessed that he was hired by Edrad for P150,000 to kill Ortega. He received P10,000 as down payment and another P15,000 for operational expenses. The lookout Dennis Aranas also surrendered.

Police later traced the firearm that was registered to lawyer Romeo Seratubias.

Edrad was also identified by Nonoy Regalado as the person who instructed him to buy a firearm. Regalado claimed he contacted Percival Lecias to look for a firearm, which was purchased from Seratubias.

Recamata said he was convinced to kill Ortega, whom Bumar described to be a bad guy. However, after learning the identity of Ortega and how the people of Palawan loved him, Recamata expressed regret for committing the crime. – Cecille Suerte Felipe, Michelle Zoleta