Vice guv's family on judge’s slay probed

THE National Bureau of Investigation probes the possible involvement of the family of Vice Governor Genaro "Lim-ao" Alvarez in the killing of Kabankalan Regional Trial Court (RTC) Judge Henry Arles.

But NBI head Ferdinand Lavin’s statement tagging Alvarez’ family in the killing is “unfounded and politically motivated,” said the vice governor.

Lavin said Tuesday they have also been considering other angles but they are looking into the involvement of the family of Alvarez in the case.

"It's not directly the vice governor but members of his family. They belong to a well-known family in the south," Lavin said when asked who were allegedly involved in the case.

However, he did not divulge further details, as he said he does not want to jeopardize the NBI's investigation and compromise the safety of the witnesses who are cooperating with them.

When asked for his reaction, Alvarez said, "What would be the reason? We do not have any case at the sala of Judge Arles. We do not even know him. The only instance I remember was that his son ran and lost by landslides against my daughter in the last elections."

Arles's son Philip lost to Sixth District Representative Mercedes Alvarez in the 2010 elections.

"They could have been the ones who have grudges against us. I wonder why, if somebody is murdered in the Sixth District, they would always point at my family. Maybe they would also drag my family in the death of Dr. Gumban?" Alvarez said.

The vice-governor was referring to the doctor who was slain recently in his residence in Bacolod City. Police had already nabbed the two suspects, one of whom is a minor, who even recorded on video their killing of the hapless doctor.

Alvarez branded the unfounded allegation against his family as politically motivated.

"Is this what will happen after I am rumored to be running for governor?" Alvarez said without elaborating.

Meanwhile, the NBI came out with facial sketches of the five alleged suspects in the Arles killing.

Arles was believed to have been tailed by the suspects from Kabankalan RTC up to Ilog town where he was shot inside his car.