Police building strong case vs Abra gov

Police are building a strong case against Abra Gov. Vicente Valera for his alleged involvement in the killing of Abra Rep. Luis Bersamin Jr. outside the Mt. Carmel Church in New Manila, Quezon City on Dec. 16.

"Case against Governor Valera is being developed," Director Jesus Versoza, Criminal Investigation and Detection Group chief told reporters at Quezon City police headquarters yesterday.

The case buildup came as the remains of Bersamin will be buried in his hometown in Bangued, Abra today.

The Special Action Force was sent to secure the funeral.

Versoza, head of Task Force Bersamin, said they are working to piece together circumstantial and physical evidence gathered at the crime scene.

Valera was tagged by retired Army sergeant Rufino Panday, confessed lookout for the killers of Bersamin.

Versoza said the National Bureau of Investigation has joined the police in a nationwide manhunt for the seven suspects.

Panday had identified three of the suspects as members of an all-Ilocano gun-for-hire group that carried out the murder.

Among those implicated by Panday were Freddie Dupo, Sonny Taculao and Dominador Barbosa.

Dupo is the group’s alleged coordinator.

The task force also released photographs of Taculao, Barbosa and Dupo.