1st death anniversary: Judge Arles murder site marked with tarps

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines — Two big billboards were installed at Ilog town in Negros Occidental to commemorate the first death anniversary of Kabankalan City Regional Trial Court Judge Henry Arles last April 24.

The billboards, each measuring 20 feet by 10 feet each, were erected at Crossing Manalad in Ilog town, Negros Occidental at the exact spot where Arles was gunned down by men riding in tandem on a motorcycle.

The billboards had the photo of the judge and the message (translated in English): “This is where just and fair Judge Henry R. Arles was killed, the cry of the people is justice.”

Arles, who was a recepient of the Judicial Excellence Award as an outstanding RTC judge given by the Supreme Court in 2008, was shot dead while he was on his way home to Ilog town.

Before the installation of the billboards, a mass was celebrated at the St. Francis Xavier Cathedral in Kabankalan City with about 1,000 people in attendance. Later, a caravan was staged towards Crossing Manalad for the unveiling of the billboards and the blessing of the site where he was killed.

The judge’s daughter, lawyer Ma. Estelita “Ria” Arles, said: “His death continuous to pain us every day of our lives…Our father, Judge Arles, was a fair and good man. Who would have thought that he will die that way? It was senseless death.”

The judge’s mother, 88-year-old Estelita, and children, lawyer Albert, Ria and Philip have called on President Benigno Aquino and the Department of Justice to help them attain a speedy justice for the murdered judge. (FREEMAN)