Environmentalists gather in Palawan to mark 'martyrdom' of Gerry Ortega

Environmental advocates gathered in Palawan on Tuesday to mark the first anniversary of what they described as the "martyrdom" of broadcaster Dr. Gerardo "Gerry" Ortega. An article on the website of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) on Wednesday said Puerto Princesa Bishop Pedro Arigo led a Mass attended by Ortega's close relatives and friends.    “We offered the Mass not for Gerry because he is apparently at peace with the Lord but for ourselves, for us to continue the advocacy left by the late Doc Gerry, fighting corruption and advocating for the protection of the environment, especially here in Palawan,” Arigo said during the Mass. A small gathering was held at the crime scene at 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday. A candle-lighting ceremony followed at 6:00 p.m. Killing of Ortega On January 24 last year, a lone assailant gunned down Ortega in Puerto Princesa City after his radio program. The gunman was arrested immediately after the attack. Ortega, 47, was the morning news anchor and commentator of Radyo Mo Nationwide's (RMN)'s Palawan station dwAR.

Ortega's wife Patria has accused former Palawan Governor Joel Reyes of ordering the killing because of her husband's anti-mining and anti-corruption advocacy. Reyes has repeatedly denied the accusation.

In a resolution issued on June 14 last year, a Department of Justice panel cleared Reyes of involvement in Ortega’s killing, citing insufficient evidence.
 
Justice Secretary Leila de Lima ordered a reinvestigation in September in response to a request from Ortega’s family to reconsider the panel's ruling.

Ortega's advocacies In his homily, Arigo urged Palawan residents to continue his advocacies, saying Ortega led a "very meaningful, beautiful and fruitful life." He said Ortega devoted his time to the challenge of "fighting against corruption for people to have a better quality of life in Palawan.”   Arigo expressed disappointment at the slow pace in resolving the case. “After one year the investigation is still in its preliminary stage,” he said.   The bishop also underscored the need to protect the country’s “last frontier,” a term often used to describe Palawan, which is under threat of becoming the “lost frontier” due to mining operations. Palawan has the biggest forest cover among all provinces in the country, and hosts the country's only two natural World Heritage Sites. It is known globally for the wealth and diversity of its terrestrial and marine resources and ecosystems. - with a report from Andreo Calonzo/VVP/YA, GMA News