Court orders release of Arles slay suspect

REGIONAL Trial Court (RTC) Judge Fernando Elumba ordered the release of one of the suspects in killing lawyer Henry Arles, finding no reason for his continued detention by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).

Eddie Fortunado, who was implicated in the murder of Arles, was the subject of a writ of amparo filed by his mother with the court.

Fortunado first confessed of his participation in the killing of Arles through a signed affidavit but later recanted and claimed that he and two other companions were tortured to admit of committing the crime.

The release order for Fortunado was received by his lawyer, Romeo Sulabdo, Thursday afternoon.

The same release order was also received by NBI Bacolod chief lawyer Ferdinand Lavin. Lavin said he already faxed the release order to the Manila office, where Fortunado was detained.

He said it will be up to the NBI central office when to release Fortunado from detention but assured that they will abide with the order of the court.

The NBI has tagged Ilog Mayor Paul Alvarez as the mastermind of the murder of Arles and also implicated Negros Occidental vice governor Genaro Alvarez.

The Alvarezes denied any involvement in the case and believe that the case filed against them with the Department of Justice (DOJ) will be dismissed.