Another witness surfaces in Negros judge's killing

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines – Another witness has approached the family of slain Kabankalan Regional Trial Court Judge Henry Arles and promised to testify in court against Ilog Mayor John Paul Alvarez and the other suspects, the clan’s spokesman said yesterday.

Lawyer Frank Britanico told The STAR that the male witness has executed an affidavit saying he was at the crime scene in Barangay Manalad Ilog last April 24 when Arles was gunned down by men on board a motorcycle and a tricycle. 

The witness, whose identity was withheld for his safety, said he recognized at least three of the assailants in the crime scene, Britanico added.

Last week, a witness dubbed “Honeybee” also executed an affidavit submitted to the Department of Justice (DOJ), tagging Mayor Alvarez, his father Vice Gov. Genaro Alvarez Jr., Cauayan Vice Mayor Jerry Tabujara, and seven others in Arles’ killing.

Britanico said they have presented a number of witnesses before the DOJ, which is expected to issue a subpoena to the 10 suspects soon. The 11th suspect, a woman, is not yet identified.

Britanico said the case is on preliminary investigation, but when the DOJ elevates it to the court, they will present Honeybee and the male witness.

The testimony of the male witness is seen as strengthening the statements of Honeybee and refuting the claims of suspects Marvin Salve and Gerald Tabujara, who have denied their role in the killing before the Commission on Human Rights in Bacolod, claiming they were falsely charged by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).

“The coming out of new witnesses will send a message that no one is above the law and will encourage more witnesses to come out and testify against the perpetrators,” Britanico said.

The other suspects include Rustom Puro, unit commander of the Revolutionary Proletarian Army-Alex Boncayao Brigade (RPA-ABB) in the sixth district of Negros Occidental; Salve, vice commander of RPA-ABB also in the sixth district; and Tabujara, an RPA-ABB member and close-in buddy of Salve.

Also tagged were Jessie Daguia, the alleged triggerman; Alejandro Capunong, and Eddie Fortunado, all RPA-ABB members now under NBI custody; and Emmanuel Medez, an administrative aide of the Ilog municipal government.

Meanwhile, the Diocese of Bacolod posthumously conferred the St. Thomas More Award to Arles at the San Sebastian Cathedral here last Wednesday.

Arles’ youngest child, Ria, a lawyer, received the award from Bacolod Bishop Vicente Navarra. 

Arles was a legal counsel of the Diocesan Social Action Center of the Diocese of Bacolod when he was still a lawyer.