Valera’s private army under watch

Police are closely monitoring Abra Gov. Vicente Valera’s private armed groups operating in the province.

"We have posted policemen in the private army’s known lairs. We are waiting for them to show up and fire their guns during the New Year revelry so we can pounce on them," said a police official who asked not to be named.

In the past, Valera’s armed groups showed no respect for the law, the source said.

"When they wanted to fire their guns they can do so even in the presence of law enforcement authorities who are helpless, knowing that they are Valera’s private armies," the official said.

He said police have identified five of Valera’s "handlers of private armies and located their respective safehouses. We are hoping to catch them red-handed this time during the New Year celebration."

The official said they could not stage raids on these safehouses because they do not have search warrants.

"The judges are on vacation because of the long holidays. So instead of waiting for the judges to return next week, we decided to act early, hoping that the ‘handlers’ would commit a grave mistake," he said.

Valera’s private armies have lain low following the governor’s arrest in Quezon City last week for carrying firearms and explosives.

He is also being eyed as the mastermind behind the killing of Abra Rep. Luis Bersamin and his police bodyguard in front of the Mt. Carmel Church in Quezon City.

Meanwhile, a source said Abra residents were elated over Valera’s detention at the PNP’s headquarters in Camp Crame. The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group has filed a number of cases against him.

"His arrest has made Abra residents happy," a police official said. "They pray that he is detained longer so there would be peace in the province."

PNP chief Director General Oscar Calderon had created Task Force Abra to maintain peace and order in the province following the murder of Bersamin.

Upon learning of Valera’s detention, Abra politicians said they no longer needed to employ police bodyguards since their "enemy" is behind bars.

"Because Valera is behind bars, we don’t fear for our lives anymore," the politicians told members of Task Force Abra. "We no longer have anything to fear."

Earlier, task force members said some of Valera’s armed men have left the province following his arrest.

The police official said Valera recruited men for his armed groups from Abra and towns in Ilocos Norte and Ilocos Sur.