Javier slay accused out of jail, mediates in gun-pointing case

ILOILO CITY — A lawyer accused in the 1986 murder of former Antique governor Evelio Javier was reportedly here Monday afternoon and attempted to settle the case of grave threats and illegal possession of firearms which a policeman had filed against a young relative of his fellow accused, former Assemblyman Arturo Pacificador.

What surprised law enforcers was why lawyer Avelino Javellana was out of jail. A check with the sala of Antique Judge Rudy Castrojas showed that there was no court order allowing him to go out of jail.

According to Castrojas’ office, the only request they had received was from Pacificador himself who is in Manila at present for a medical check-up.

"I was surprised to see Javellana who was looking for (Senior Inspector Alexis) Relado. Anyway, who doesn’t know Javellana?" said Chief Inspector Dionisio Duco, commander of police Precinct 1 here.

Javellana, along with another lawyer, reportedly went to the intelligence section of the city police Monday afternoon to see Relado.

According to Relado, he was invited to discuss the case he had filed against Julius Ronald Pacificador at a restaurant at the Barcelo Sarabia Manor Hotel.

But Relado was unrelenting. "I will pursue the case despite the attempts of the Pacificadors to settle the case. It’s time to teach them a lesson," he said.

Last Friday night, the young Pacificador, who was driving a Nissan Frontier, pointed a 9-mm. Ruger pistol at Relado. When Relado introduced himself as a policeman, the former sped away, but Relado gave chase and cornered him.

Pacificador, 24, son of Hamtic, Antique Mayor Julius Pacificador, posted bail the following day.

Relado said there have also been attempts to get back the Ruger pistol. However, he said the gun is his evidence against the young Pacificador.

SPO1 Benjamin Toledo, of the firearms division, said they were still verifying with Camp Crame whether Pacificador was licensed to carry the gun.