Local News: RTC Judge Ambushed, Killed; Shot Dead by Trike-Riding Men
A Regional Trial Court judge in Kabankalan City was shot and killed by two men reportedly on board a tricycle about 6:45 early last night along the national highway in Brgy. Manalad, Ilog town.
The Chief Justice Ramon Avanceña Award has been conferred on Judge Henry D.
Arles’ in his drive for excellence which has resulted in an impressive case
disposition record. Since joining the bench in 2000, Judge Arles has posted an
average monthly disposal of 47 cases, having reduced the caseload of his sala
from 1,037 in 2000 to 486 in 2008.
This feat has earned him an award by the Rotary Club of Manila for having the highest disposal of cases in Western Visayas, the Judicial Excellence Award from the Negros Occidental Regional Trial Court Judges Association, and the International Star Award from the Knights of Columbus. He is also among the judges with the highest disposal of cases in the country, as culled from the records of the Court Administrator.
PSInsp. Joshua Villasis, Ilog Police chief told NDB that Regional Trial Court (RTC) branch 61- Kabankalan City Judge Henry D. Arles was shot several times by two unidentified suspects while on his way home from his Kabankalan office. He said, the Judge was driving his Nissan Sentra going South of the highway when attacked by the suspects who were then tailing him.
Villasis said, the suspects who were on board a red-colored tricycle with galvanized side car overtook the victim’s vehicle on the left and when they came near, shot Arles several times, hitting him fatally on the left shoulder. The victim was reportedly on his way home to Brgy. Dancalan,Ilog and was driving alone when the incident took place.
He was declared dead by attending physicians in a hospital facility in Kabankalan City.
The suspects allegedly U-turned and withdrew towards the North direction after the shooting.
Recovered from the crime scene were three fired cartridges of a still unknown caliber of firearm. They were brought to the PNP Criminal Laboratory for examination and to determine the firearm used that killed the Judge.
Villasis immediately coordinated with the nearby and adjacent police stations to conduct checkpoints for possible arrest of the suspects. He also urged the public to report to local police authorities if they have information about the suspects.
Follow-up investigation is ongoing.*
