Filipino Radio Commentator Gerardo Ortega Murdered

Filipino radio commentator GERARDO ORTEGA, who was a staunch critic of mining operations and local officials in PALAWAN, PHILIPPINES, was shot dead yesterday morning in PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, reports PHILSTAR.COM. ORTEGA was the anchor of the daily primetime program "Ramatak," which aired on RADIO MINDANAO NETWORK affiliate dwAR in PALAWAN.

Alleged gunman MARLON DICAMATA DE CHAVEZ, alias MARVIN ALCARAZ, 31, was arrested after the shooting. Investigators theorized the suspect carried out the attack with a companion, who is now the subject of manhunt operations.

Socio-civic leader GINA LOPEZ told the paper that the suspect could be a hired assassin. "The guy who shot him was from TAGUIG. Why would someone from TAGUIG go to PUERTO PRINCESA? Why would he shoot a guy who doesn’t look rich, he was wearing shorts and sandals."

"DOC GERRY was more than a radio commentator, he was also a wildlife conservationist, a public servant, an anti-graft crusader, roles which he played with guts, grit and gravitas," PALAWAN Rep. ANTONIO ALVAREZ said.

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