Suspect in Bulacan judge’s slay nabbed, killed

MANILA, Philippines - Police arrested over the weekend the suspected gunman in the murder of a judge who had sent a  notorious carjacker to prison for 30 years.

But the suspect, Arnel Janoras, was himself shot dead yesterday allegedly after trying, while in handcuffs, to grab the gun of one of his police escorts.

Janoras was arrested Saturday by members of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group-Bulacan and the Malolos police in Barangay Graceville, San Jose del Monte City, Bulacan.

After his arrest, Janoras executed an extrajudicial confession admitting his participation in the killing of  Malolos Regional Trial Court Branch 84 Judge Wilfredo Nieves, according to  Bulacan police director Senior Supt. Ferdinand Divina.

Janoras was being transported from Malolos City to the prosecutor’s office in San Jose del Monte at past 9 a.m. yesterday for inquest on another case when he grabbed the firearm of one of his police escorts, Divina said.

Janoras was supposedly in handcuffs when he grappled for the gun.

“A scuffle ensued, prompting one of his escorts to shoot him,” Divina said.

Nieves had convicted gang leader Raymond Dominguez of carjacking in April 2012.

The judge had just left his courtroom at the Malolos capitol at around 5 p.m. on Nov. 11 when the suspects in a Toyota Innova and another on a motorcycle fired at his car.

Nieves was on his way home to Malolos City when he was ambushed. He died at the scene from multiple gunshot wounds.

Police said a Colt .45-caliber pistol with silencer, allegedly used in killing Nieves, was recovered from Janoras.

The suspect allegedly identified Jay Deogades Joson, alias Jefferson, as one of his accomplices.

Janoras told police that Joson was a regular visitor of Dominguez at the New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa City.