KALIBO, Aklan- The family of former Lezo mayor Fred Arcenio, a suspect in the killing of a Bombo Radyo station manager in 2004, expects the court to free him from detention soon.

Arcenio surrendered in March 2008 and has been detained at the Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center in connection with the killing of dyIN Bombo radio station manager Herson “Boy” Hinolan on Nov. 13, 2004 near a carnival in Aklan.

Sources closed to the family of the suspect, who requested anonymity, said that the family’s lawyer has asked the Cebu Regional Trial Court for his immediate release because he is running as independent mayor for the 2010 election.

The Cebu RTC allowed Arcenio, a former Army intelligence officer, to file his certificate of candidacy in November last year.He was an Army master sergeant when he ran as a member of Lezo’s municipal council in 2001.

The Arcenio family hopes that the suspect would be released from detention before March 26, the start of the campaign period for the local election.

He will be opposing his former political ally incumbent mayor Victor Fernandez in the said town.

Reports said that the witnesses to the crime were reportedly backing out, making the prosecution case weak.

Arcenio, despite being independent, is being supported by the incumbent vice mayor Philip Buenaflor. They have a complete line up down to the councilor for the forthcoming election.