Task Force Arles continues probe

TASK Force Arles created by the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (Noppo) is still active and continues to investigate the killing of Kabankalan Regional Trial Court Judge Henry Arles, a top police official said.

Noppo chief Milko Lirazan said he is still waiting for the turnover of all the data gathered by Task Force Arles.

“It was not deactivated,” Senior Superintendent Lirazan said.

Task Force Arles, which was created immediately after the ambush-slay of Arles last April 24, has yet to update the public and the family regarding the investigation.

Lirazan said the Task Force Arles’ probe is separate from the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) which is conducting a parallel probe on the case.

The NBI has already filed murder charges with the Department of Justice implicating six members of the RPA-ABB here and tagging Ilog Mayor John Paul Alvarez as mastermind.

The NBI based its complaint on the testimonies of three arrested alleged suspects Jessie Daguia, Reynaldo Capunong and Eddie Fortunado, RPA-ABB members, who all recanted and claimed they were tortured into admitting the crime.

The latest alleged eyewitness produced by Lawyer Frank Britanico, brother-in-law of the slain judge, is said to be linked with Ilog vice mayor Gerry Tabujara and vice governor Genaro Alvarez.

Both Tabujara and Alvarez denied any involvement in the case.