Slain judge buried; family appeals for speedy justice

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines — The remains of Kabankalan Regional Trial Court Judge Henry Arles, who was gunned down by still unidentified suspects on April 24, was buried yesterday (May 1) at the Rolling Hills Memorial Park in this city.

Lawyer Maria Estelita Arles, the judge’s daughter, told The Freeman the family is hoping for the speedy arrest of her father’s killers and the mastermind behind the crime “so that justice will be given to the death of the judge.”

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 suspects.

“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,” Estelita said.

Estelita said their family is thankful to President Aquino, who had instructed DILG Secretary Jesse Robredo last week to investigate the murder of her father. “We’re asking for the continued support of the President and the Supreme court (in resolving the case),” she said.

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

She said the family has decided on how much would they give as cash reward for the arrest of the suspects, but will announce the amount after the funeral. The family is also meeting regularly with Task Group Arles, and “getting updates and significant development” on the case, she said.

Estelita said the task group is investigating further the angle that the motive of the crime is work-related and the killers were hired guns.

“We’re considering that (work-related angle). The possibilities are all there by reason of him being a judge,” she said, adding that initial investigations showed a “little bit of relevance that it’s more on his work as a judge.”

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

Arles, 62, succumbed to three gunshot wounds, when he was shot with a .45 caliber pistol by the gunman who fled using a tricycle, in Brgy. Manalad in Ilog town, Negros Occidental. —(FREEMAN)