Suspect in judge slay out on bail

ONE of the suspects in the killing of Kabankalan Regional Trial Court (RTC) Judge Henry Arles was released Tuesday after he posted bail for illegal possession of firearms charges.

Alejandro Capunong, who is a member of the Revolutionary Proletarian Army (RPA), was released by the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) officers at 10:30 a.m. after he posted P80, 000 bail.

He was detained at the BJMP in Negros Occidental after he was turned over by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).

The other two alleged suspects were Jessie Daguia and Eddie Fortunado who are still in the custody of NBI-Manila.

Based on their confession, Capunong was the driver of the tricycle that overtook the car of Arles in Barangay Manalad, Ilog while Daguia who was on board another motorcycle and allegedly shot and killed Arles.

The three, however, backtracked from their affidavits and said that they were tortured and forced to sign the affidavits.

A caliber .357 with five ammunitions was recovered from Capunong.

NBI-Bacolod head, lawyer Ferdinand Lavin said the temporary liberty of Capunong is part of the legal procedure, adding that they cannot continue the detention of Capunong as there is no warrant of arrest issued against him before the Department of Justice (DOJ).

Lavin said they will arrest Capunong again as soon as the warrant is out against him.

Capunong, on the other hand, said he will not run away from the murder case filed against him as he maintains his innocence from the crime claiming that during the incident, he was constructing their house and he has a witness to prove his claim. (Teresa D. Ellera/Merlinda Pedrosa)