P500T bounty
Family of slain lawyer Noel Archival raises reward for help leading to suspects
Immediate family visits Achival’s grave on death anniversary
THE family of slain lawyer Noel Archival has raised P500,000 as reward for the information that will lead to the arrest of three former Highway Patrol Group (HPG) 7 members.
Senior Supt. Romualdo Iglesia, Senior Insp. Joselito Lerion, and PO1 Alex Bacani are facing multiple murder cases for the deaths of Archival, his aide Candido Miñoza and driver Alejandro Jayme, and a frustrated murder case for injuries sustained by Paolo Cortes during the ambush in Barangay Coro, Dalaguete on Feb. 18, 2014.
Cebu City Councilor Nestor Archival, the lawyer’s brother, said they offered a bounty of P200,000 each for Iglesia and Lerion, and P100,000 for Bacani.
“To the friends and supporters of the victims, we urge (you) to help in the information gathering regarding the whereabouts of the accused,” said Nestor.
The official also asked Philippine National Police (PNP) acting chief Leonardo Espina to declare the three officers absent without official leave (AWOL) and provide proof of the claim of HPG Director Arrazad
Subong that they were charged with an administrative complaint.
Nestor hopes that there is no conspiracy in the HPG organization to protect its members.
The first anniversary of the fatal incident was commemorated yesterday afternoon at a private cemetery in Mandaue City where Archival was buried.
Fleeting
Msgr. Roberto Alesna, who celebrated the mass, said in his homily that life is uncertain.
“As we remember Atty. Noel, let us always be guided and be reminded that your life, my life, our life is fleeting,” he said. “We should always to be ready; we should always be prepared.”
Archival’s live-in partner and their children wore white shirts marked with the lawyer’s photo in the front portion, while on the back a message says: “Thank you, we love you, Noel.”
Lone survivor Paulo Cortes, who will turn 55 tomorrow, also attended the mass. He asked Iglesia and company to surrender.
“Dako kaayo kog kalipay kon moatubang sila (I would be happy if they face the cases),” he said.
Prosecution lawyer Democrito Barcenas said they are still waiting for the Supreme Court to appoint a new judge who will handle the cases, following the inhibition of Argao Regional Trial Court Judge Maximo Perez last month to avoid claims of bias.
The trial will not start unless the accused will be arrested and presented before the court.
Lawyer Inocencio de la Cerna Jr., one of the defense counsels, said he has no communication with the accused.
Perez issued a warrant of arrest against Iglesia, Lerion and Bacani last Dec. 11.
The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) 7 sent a copy of the arrest warrant to the PNP chief and Camp Crame’s Personnel Holding Administrative Section (PHAS) last Dec. 12, but the suspects were no longer there.