AS the family of slain lawyer Noel Archival marks the first year of his brutal killing today, they called on the police officials tagged in his murder to surrender to the authorities.
“They’ve been saying that they are innocent. So why don’t they submit themselves before the bar of justice so they can prove their claims?,” said Archival’s younger brother, Talamban barangay councilman Nelson Archival yesterday.
The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) filed charges of multiple and frustrated murder against Senior Supt. Iglesia, Senior Insp. Lerion, PO1 Bacani—all of the Highway Patrol Group (HPG).
“We, as a family, will really pursue these cases against them no matter how long and difficult it is to get justice for Noel and his three companions. No matter what happens, we will stand up against these three policemen. As the saying goes ‘Evil will prosper if good men are silent,’” the councilman added.
RTC Judge Maximo Perez of branch 26 in Argao town issued arrest warrants last December 11 against the three policemen who were supposed to be in detention at the PNP Custodial Center in Camp Crame.
Threats
Nelson went to Camp Crame but was told that Iglesia, Lerion and Bacani were no longer there.
Lawyers of the Archival family vowed to file separate charges against the ranking officials of the Philippine National Police who were tasked to secure the three accused.
Councilman Archival said they are monitoring Noel’s six children who had yet to come to terms with their father’s death.
After Noel’s death, Nelson said their family received death threats from unknown persons who want them to withdraw the charges against the HPG troopers.
Nelson said they addressed this to the NBI who are tracing the whereabouts of Iglesia, Lerion and Bacani.
“All we can do now is seek justice for (Noel’s) death. We will not stop doing so,” he said.