No arrests yet 2 years after killing

Exactly two years ago yesterday, Cebuano lawyer Noel Archival and his two companions were killed in an ambush in Dalaguete town, south Cebu.

At least three officers of the Highway Patrol Group (HPG) were charged in court after  evidence gathered by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) linked them to the crime.

But trial has been stalled since all the accused remain at large.

Lawyer Democrito Barcenas, one of the lawyers of the Archival family, yesterday echoed calls for law enforcement agencies to aggressively pursue Senior Supt. Romualdo Iglesia, Senior Insp. Joselito Lerion and PO1 Alex Bacani.

He expressed dismay over the failure of the authorities to arrest the accused.

“I am saddened by the fact that two years after his (Archival) brutal murder, justice has not been fully given to the victims and their families,” Barcenas told CDN.

“Although warrants of arrest were issued by the court, the three accused have remained fugitives from justice,” the veteran lawyer added.

The Archival family earlier offered a reward to anyone who can give information that can lead to the arrest of the three accused: P200,000 for Iglesia; P200,000 for Lerion; and P100,000 for Bacani.

The three accused are facing trial on charges of frustrated and multiple murder.

Early last year, the three accused were dropped from the roster of the Philippine National Police due to their alleged involvement in the case.

Barcenas said court trial can only start once the accused are  arrested.

“I urge authorities, especially the NBI, to find and arrest the accused so justice can be served,” he said.

Archival, along with his aides Candido Miñoza, Alejandro Jaime and Paolo Cortes, were on their way back to Cebu City from Dumaguete City when they were ambushed by unidentified persons on board two vehicles. Only Cortes survived.