Warrant out for three cops

CEBU, Philippines - The Regional Trial Court has ordered the arrest of former officials of the Regional Highway Patrol Unit-7 tagged in the killing of lawyer Noel Archival 10 months ago.

In his one-page order, Judge Maximo Perez of RTC Argao Branch 26 commanded all law enforcers through the chief of the Philippine National Police Camp Crame Police Station in Camp Crame Quezon City to arrest Senior Superintendent Romualdo Iglesia, Senior Inspector Joselito Lerion and PO1 Alex Bacani.

“You are hereby commanded to arrest Iglesia, Lerion, and Bacani who are said to be found at c/o Personnel Holding and Accounting Section, Highway Patrol Group, Camp Crame, Quezon City, and who have been charged before me with the offense of multiple murder and frustrated murder and bring them forthwith before  me to be dealt with according to the law,” read the order of arrest issued on December 11.

Regional Director Max Salvador of the National Bureau of Investigation-7 said Camp Crame received the order of arrest on Friday.

Acting Cebu Provincial Prosecutor Jesus Rodrigo Tagaan has earlier filed the cases for multiple murder and frustrated murder before the court after finding probable cause.

The accused allegedly helped each other in the ambush of Archival, his driver Alejandro Jayme, his bodyguard Candido Miñoza, and his on-call assistant Paolo Cortes.

Tagaan recommended no bail for the temporary liberty of the accused.

Talamban councilman Nelson Archival, brother of the slain lawyer said they were happy with the issuance of the warrant of arrest against the accused. Nelson went to the NBI Office yesterday to follow-up the case.

Lawyer Democrito Barcenas, one of the prosecution’s legal counsel, said they welcome the issuance of the warrant of arrest. He added they hope that Iglesia, Lerion, and Bacani will submit themselves to the jurisdiction of the court.

Lawyer Rameses Vi-llagonzalo, who represents Cortes, told The FREEMAN they were also happy of the development of the case. He added they expect the arrest of those accused before Christmas.

Earlier, Cortes through Villagonzalo asked Perez for the issuance of the arrest warrant of the accused. In the said petition, Villa-gonzalo said the presiding judge has 10 days from the filing of the complaint to evaluate the resolution of the prosecutor and its supporting evidence if it has probable cause.

He said in case of doubt on the existence of probable cause, the judge may order to present additional evidence within five days from notice and the issue must be resolved by the court within 30 days from the filing of the complainant.

However, Villagonzalo said it has been over 70 days since the information of multiple murder and frustrated murder was filed and there was no resolution yet on the determination of probable cause and the issuance of warrant of arrest, so there was a violation of the Rules of Court.

Archival, Jayme, and Miñoza were killed when the black Ford SUV they were riding was peppered with bullets while passing Barangay Coro, Dalaguete, Cebu, around 1 p.m. on February 18, 2014.

The victims came from a hearing in Dumaguete where Archival was representing Jesuslou Elcarte Alegria, the alleged mastermind of a pawnshop heist before RTC Branch 38.

Lawyer Inocencio dela Cerna said they were surprised by the issuance of the warrant considering they have several motions filed before Perez that needs to be resolved.

“We are informed that a warrant of arrest against our client has been served in Camp Crame. We are surprised by the hasty issuance thereof as during the last hearing of the judge in his order ordered both parties to submit a memorandum on all issues. Which order has not lapsed yet,” he said in a text message.

Dela Cerna added though they will obey the court they will file a motion for reconsideration in order to remind the court of their pending motions filed that needs to be settled.

Meanwhile, Police Regional Office–7 Regional Intelligence Division chief Superintendent Paul Labra said that they have not received any order from the court and from their national headquarters regarding the warrant of arrest.

He said once it arrives they are willing to comply with the order and serve the warrant of arrest to their fellow law enforcers.

“Amo na buhaton bi-sa’g pareha og uniform. Wa ta’y mahimo. Nagtrabaho ra man ta,” he said.

He added that the three HPU officials implicated in the death of Archival also know that the regional police force is only doing their job in the spi-rit of professionalism.  —/BRP (FREEMAN)