Court Administrator and Supreme Court spokesman Jose Midas Marquez yesterday said a P100,000 reward is being offered for any vital information leading to the identity of the persons suspected of killing or ordering the killing of any judge and another P100,000 will be given upon the conviction of the accused.

Marquez, in a speech he prepared for the necrological service of Kabankalan Regional Trial Court Judge Henry Arles at the Rolling Hills Memorial Chapel in Bacolod City last night, a copy of which he furnished the DAILY STAR earlier in the day, said the reward was put up by the Philippine Judges Foundation.

A delayed flight from Manila prevented him from delivering the speech at the necrological rites, although he was able to condole with the family of the judge shortly after midnight.

Arles, 62, was gunned downs by still unidentified assailants while driving home from work along the Barangay Manalad, Ilog, highway in southern Negros Ocidental Tuesday night.

Marquez called on law enforcement officers to immediately exert all means within the bounds of the law to apprehend the killers of Arles and bring them behind bars.

“Let me also remind all our judges to keep us informed of all threats they receive so we can coordinate with the proper law enforcement agencies who have agreed to assist us on this matter,” he said.

“Judge Henry Arles was an outstanding judge, and his death is a great loss to the judiciary. All of us should endeavor to ensure that tragedies like this do not recur, Marquez said, adding “let his death be not a statistic of an unsolved crime.”

From 1999 to date, some 23 judges have died violently in various parts of the country, he said.

Individual task forces were organized to investigate these separate deaths and bring to justice the perpetrators, but unfortunately, out of the 23 cases, there have been only two convictions, while four are undergoing trial, Marquez said.

The remaining 17 cases remain unsolved despite the Supreme Court’s constant coordination with law enforcement agencies, he added.

“Death is always sorrowful, but a hundred times more so, when marred by treachery and violence,” he said, adding that it is not lost to the SC that Arles’ distinguished career as a judge could possibly be related to his untimely and unfortunate demise.

Judge Arles is not just one of the good guys, he is one of the best, Marquez said, noting his having received numerous awards including the Chief Justice Ramon Avanceña Award from the SC in 2008.

Arles, who was known as a fair and honest judge, joined the bench in 1999, and in no time, he was able to reduce the caseload of his sala from 1,037 to 468, he noted.

Arles was a devoted, industrious, hard-working judge, faithful to the law, his oath, and to the public he served, Marquez added.

The killing of members of the bench threaten not only the security of judges but also their independence and effectiveness, and hence, the justice system itself, he said.

The lack of personal independence of magistrates from fear of losing their lives would be disastrous to the rule of law, that is why it is very important that their security be strengthened, he said.

“Judges should never be in danger of being gunned down while driving home,” he said.

He said the SC has initiated efforts to address this, which includes providing security detail to judges, giving them special privileges to carry firearms outside their work station, ensuring site inspection and risk assessment, as well as security trainings, all with the help of the National Bureau of Investigation, the Philippine National Police, the Department of Justice, and the Prosecutors League of the Philippines, among others.

Unfortunately, even with all these efforts, casualties continue, and the senseless killing of Judge Arles is a grim reminder of how much there still has to be done to prevent these murders, he said.

Security of our judges remains a priority, which we will continue to address this as best as we can, he said.

Numerous judges, lawyers and court personnel spoke at the necrological service for Arles last night, Bago Judge Frances Guanzon said.

The Negros Occidental Regional Trial Court Judges Association president is headed by Judge Kathrine Go of San Carlos City.

Meanwhile, lawyer Rowena Guanzon said the Gender Watch Coalition condemns the murder of Judge Arles who was an honest judge.

He was the judge who convicted American Victor Pearson of the rape of a young girl and the conviction was sustained by the Supreme Court, she said.

“Judge Arles will surely be missed, not only by his family but also by the community which he served with integrity,” she added.*CPG

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