Kabankalan City Regional Trial Court Judge Henry Arles was ambushed and killed in Ilog town last night, Senior Supt. Allan Guisihan, Negros Occidental police director, said.

Arles was on board his Nissan Sentra vehicle when the driver of a tricycle drove up to the driver's side of his car and the gunman shot him three times with a .45 caliber gun, Senior Inspector Joshua Villasis, Ilog police chief, said.

The incident occurred at about 6:45 p.m. in Barangay Manalad, Ilog, but it was difficult for witnesses to identify the gunman and driver of the tricycle because it was getting dark, Villasis said.

Arles was hit three times, twice in the body, and once in his right palm, Villasis also said.

Arles appeared to be driving from Kabankalan City and was heading towards Barangay Dancalan Ilog where he resides, when the incident occurred.

Guisihan said he has created Task Group Judge Arles headed by Supt. Leo Agpangan to investigate and arrest the suspects.

Police checkpoints have also been set up, he said.

Bacolod Regional Trial Court Judge Edgar Garvilles was shocked to hear about the assassination of Arles, saying he was a friendly man and he did not know that he had any enemies.

Arles, who was in his 60's, was a multi-awarded judge who was credited with an impressive case disposition record. For this, he had been awarded by the Rotary Club of Manila, the Judicial Excellence Award by the Negros Occidental Regional Trial Court Judges Association, and the International Star Award by the Knights of Columbus.*CPG

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