NBI probes Negros Occ vice governor's family

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines — The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) is now investigating the possible link of a member of the family of Negros Occidental Vice Governor Genaro Alvarez Jr. to the killing of Kabankalan Regional Trial Court Judge Henry Arles last April.

NBI-Bacolod head Ferdinand Lavin disclosed Tuesday that his office is “seriously looking into the angle” of the possible involvement of the vice governor’s family, as against other angles of the case.

Lavin however clarified that the suspect “is not exactly the vice governor.” The maternal side of Alvarez are the Montillas, one of the biggest clans in the 6th district of Negros Occidental.

Last month, Lavin said the NBI was investigating the possible link of big families or clan in the 6th district to the killing of Arles, who was gunned down April 24 in Ilog town. The probe was based on the NBI’s theory on the court cases handled by Arles that the agency was scrutinizing.

Alvarez, for his part, had earlier denied the allegation, saying he does not even know Arles, and that his family has no reason to be mad at Arles or to have him assassinated. “We have nothing to gain from such an act,” he said, adding that they have no case before Arles’s sala.

When asked to give details as to the motive behind the killing, Lavin said, “I can’t divulge any further details. I don’t want to jeopardize the ongoing investigation or compromise the safety of the people working with us and witnesses on the ground.”

Lavin said he does not want to make any definitive or conclusive statement about the case, adding that the motive behind the killing will just come out in their investigation.

The NBI has been conducting a parallel investigation with the Task Group Arles, which was created by the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office.

“We want to be able to identify or pinpoint sino itong (who is this) clan behind the murder. We’re trying to tie up the shooters, who were on the ground or the hitman, with the mastermind,” Lavin said earlier.

The 62-year-old Arles succumbed to three gunshot wounds, when he was shot with a .45 caliber pistol by the gunman who fled using a tricycle.

Meanwhile, lawyer Ma. Estelita Arles, the judge’s youngest child, in a press conference recently said her family had deposited in the bank the P1-million cash reward for those who can help them identify the people behind the killing of their father.

“We want to send a very clear message to those who have information and could help in the apprehension of the suspects, that the reward money is ready and available,” she added.

The Philippine Judges Foundation is also offering P200,000 for the arrest of the suspects.

Arles had served the Kabankalan RTC for 13 years, and received various awards for his speedy disposition of cases, among them the Chief Justice Ramon Avanceña Award given by the Supreme Court in 2008. - THE FREEMAN