Arles slay suspect pleads ‘not guilty’ to illegal gun raps

EDDIE Fortunado, one of the alleged suspects in the killing of Judge Henry Arles, entered a ‘not guilty’ plea during the arraignment of the illegal possession of firearms case against him.

Regional Trial Court Judge Manuel Cardinal set the first hearing of the case on April.

Fortunado, one of the six Revolutionary Proletarian Army-Alex Boncayao Brigade members who are among the respondents in the Arles murder charge, is out on bail. He has posted P80,000 bail bond for his temporary liberty.

Meanwhile, Alan Gozon, vice chairman of the Negros Alliance of Human Rights Advocate (Nahra), revealed Tuesday they are planning to file a carnapping case against NBI-Bacolod for their failure to return a motorcycle owned and driven by Fortunado when he was arrested.

Gozon said the vehicle should have been returned by the NBI after the release of Fortunado from their custody.

Fortunado, along with Jessie Daguia and Vincent Capunong as other alleged suspects in the Arles murder, were held in custody by the NBI Manila after they reportedly sought assistance for their safe and security. 

However the three recanted their earlier affidavit and claimed that they were tortured while in the NBI custody to admit their participation in the Arles murder.

They were released from the NBI custody based on the court order.

The Department of Justice is yet to come out with a decision pertaining to the Arles murder case.