One of five accused ordered arrested for Ortega slay falls

MANILA, Philippines–One of the accused in the death of journalist Gerry Ortega was  arrested Tuesday night here  immediately after the Palawan Court issued a warrant for his arrest in connection with the death of journalist and environmentalist Gerry Ortega last year.

Lawyer Alex Avisado, in a text message, said former Palawan Provincial Administrator Romeo Seratubias was arrested around 6 p.m. by operatives of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan.

The Palawan Regional Trial Court Branch 52 earlier in the day ordered the arrest of Seratubias along with former Palawan Governor Joel Reyes and three others in connection with the Ortega slay case.

Aside from Reyes and Seratubias, the court also issued a warrant for the arrest of incumbent Coron, Palawan Mayor Mario Reyes Jr. , and provincial government employees Arturo Regalado and Percival Lecias.

Ortega was killed in January, 2011.