Bersamin slay: Ex-gov charged

MANILA, Philippines – Former Abra governor Vicente Isidro Valera was charged with the murder of former Abra representative Luis Bersamin Jr. before the Quezon City Prosecutor’s Office yesterday.

Also charged with Valera were Leo Bello, Jerry Tarqueza, and men known only as Jun, Jeff-Jeff and Mel.

Valera and the other suspects, who remain at large, were also charged with frustrated murder for wounding bystanders Allan Sawadan and Rolly Labaja.

Tarqueza shot Bersamin, police said.

Bersamin’s bodyguard, Senior Police Officer 1 Adelfo Ortega, also died during the attack at Mount Carmel Church in Quezon City last year.

Deputy Director General Jesus Verzosa, Philippine National Police deputy chief for administration, said two arrested suspects, former vice mayor Freddie Dupo of La Paz town and Sonny Taculao, have pointed to Valera as the mastermind of the killing.

“Clearly, it’s political,” he said when asked about the possible motive behind the killing of Bersamin.

“Dupo and Taculao gave details of the movements of the assassins and support group before and after the murder.”

Investigators have recommended to the Department of Justice that Dupo and Taculao be considered for the Witness Protection  Program because they helped in the filing of charges against Valera and other suspects, Verzosa said.

Dupo and Taculao, who were arrested in Baras, Rizal last year, said Valera through Bello sent them P15,000, P10,000 and P25,000 while they were in hiding.

Bersamin’s daughter Rosario said they knew all along that Valera had masterminded the killing of her father.

“We never doubted (that it was Valera),” she said.

“Wala naman iba’ng gagawa nun. Siya ang nagpapatay sa ama ko (No one else would do that. He ordered the killing of my dad).”