Name suspects in Judge Arles slay

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines  — Negros Occidental Vice Governor Genaro Alvarez Jr. dared Ferdinand Lavin, head of the NBI in this city, to name the influential families that he linked to the killing of Kabankalan RTC Judge Henry Arles.

Alvarez said that if the NBI names its suspects then the persons can defend themselves.

Lavin, in an interview at the Governor’s Office last Tuesday, said the NBI has been “seriously investigating four powerful clans in the southern Negros,” as may be behind the killing of Arles in April 24.

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, in Ilog town of Negros Occidental.

When asked by the media if one of the clans being investigated is a member of the vice governor’s family, Lavin said, “If you are asking me about that, we are seriously looking into that angle.”

When asked to confirm again, Lavin said, “Being considered, yes.” But on Wednesday, he denied implicating the vice governor’s family in the case.

“Wala akong binanggit na pangalan ng pamilya, ang sinasabi ko ay our pieces of evidence so far lead to a powerful and influential clan in the south,” he told The FREEMAN.

Alvarez said the implication of his family in the Arles killing is politically motivated. “Is this what happens after I am rumored to be running for governor?” Alvarez said without elaborating.

Lavin said his office has based its theory on the court cases handled by Arles that the NBI is scrutinizing.

The vice governor said he does not even know Arles, and his family has no reason to be mad at Arles or to have him assassinated. “In the first place, my family has no case before Arles’ sala,” he said.

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