Government investigators have linked a local mayor in Negros to the killing of a judge last April, an Iloilo-based news site reported Saturday.

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) said it has filed charges against Ilog town mayor John Paul Alvarez for the killing of Kabankalan Judge Henry Arles.

NBI Bacolod head Ferdinand Lavin said murder charges have already been filed against Alvarez after one of three suspects the NBI arrested recently pointed to the mayor as the mastermind, news site The Daily Guardian reported.

A separate report on the Manila Bulletin said Alvarez and six others were charged before the Department of Justice Friday afternoon.

Armed men ambushed and killed Arles while he was driving home to Ilog last April 24.

The NBI has so far arrested three suspects, including Eddie Fortunado, who linked the mayor to the murder.

Fortunado was arrested along with Jessie Daguia and Alejandro Capunong, members of the Revolutionary Proletarian Army last June for illegal possession of firearms.

Lavin said the three have turned state witnesses and have asked to be placed under protective custody. He also denied the three were abducted or tortured.

The Daily Guardian report said the three had been brought to Manila for safekeeping, adding they are kept in separate areas.

The Daily Guardian said Alvarez could not be reached for comment Friday. — LBG, GMA News