Slain Negros judge laid to rest

Bacolod City, Philippines – Kabankalan Regional Trial Court Judge Henry Arles, who was gunned down last April 24, was buried here yesterday, with his family still crying for justice.

Lawyer Maria Estelita Arles, the judge’s daughter, told The STAR her family is hoping for the speedy arrest of the killers of her 62-year-old father and the mastermind behind the crime.

Arles said they are appealing to the Philippine National Police, the National Bureau of Investigation, and the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group to hasten the arrest of the attackers. 

“He was a great father and husband, a dedicated, honest and fair member of the judiciary. He inspired me and my brother (Albert) to study law and become members of the bench in order to help the community,” she said.

She said they are thankful to President Aquino, who instructed Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo last week to investigate Arles’ slay. 

The Philippine Judges Foundation is offering a P100,000 reward for any information leading to the arrest of Arles’ killers, and another P100,000 upon conviction of the accused, according to Supreme Court spokesman Jose Midas Marquez.

“We’re asking for the continued support of the President and the Supreme Court (in resolving the case),” she said.

Estelita said they will also give a cash reward for the arrest of the gunmen, but will announce the amount after the funeral.

She said the police task group handling the case is investigating further if the killing was work-related and that the killers were hired guns. 

So far, police have three suspects in Arles’ ambush-slay, including the triggerman, and a man and a woman who were reportedly seen conducting surveillance on the judge a few hours before he was shot dead.

Senior Superintendent Allan Guisihan, Negros Occidental police director, said one of the two lookouts might also be the triggerman.