LUCENA CITY, Philippines – Another suspect in the killing of Palawan broadcast journalist Gerry Ortega surrendered to Puerto Princesa City Mayor Edward Hagedorn the boundary of Gumaca and Plaridel towns in Quezon on Saturday evening.

Hagedron identified the suspect as Rodolfo Edrad, alias “Junjun Bumas,” a former Marine soldier who also became a security aide of former Marinduque Gov. Jose Antonio “Bong” Carreon.

But Hagedrorn said that the suspect is no longer connected with Carreon when he lost in the gubernatorial race in Marinduque during last elections.

Edrad peacefully surrendered to Hagedorn together with members of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) in front of an eatery along Maharlika Highway at about 10:00 p.m. in the area.

According to Hagedorn, Edrad is vital in solving the case, saying that the suspect could shed light on the killing and possibly identify the mastermind behind the incident.

The surrender of Edrad was facilitated by his Lucena City-based lawyer Felix Arias.

Earlier, Hagedorn, the NBI led by Rosauro Bautista, Arias, and the family of Edrad met in Lucena City to discuss the details of the suspect’s surrender before proceeding to the place to fetch Edrad.

After Edrad’s surrender, Hagedorn’s group left Lucena at about 12 midnight for the trip back to Manila.