MANILA – One of the accused in the killing of broadcaster and environmentalist in Palawan, Doc Gerry Ortega was convicted of murder on Monday.
According to the Ortega family, who were present during the promulgation of the sentence on Monday, the Puerto Princesa City Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 52 found Arturo Regalado guilty beyond reasonable doubt of the crime charged.
Regalado was allegedly the one who purchased the firearm used in the killing of Ortega on Jan. 24, 2011.
The RTC sentenced Regalado to suffer the penalty of imprisonment of “reclusion perpetua” or a jail sentence of from 20 years and one day to 40 years.
Likewise, the RTC also ordered the transfer of Regalado to the Iwahig Penal Colony.
Regalado was a former trusted aide of former Palawan Gov. Joel Reyes and he also worked as an employee at the provincial capitol during the term of Reyes.
The RTC earlier convicted the alleged gunman, Marlon Recamata, who was also sentenced the jail term of reclusion perpetua.