Bersamin slay case: Court orders arrest of ex-Abra governor

MANILA, Philippines - Former Abra governor Vicente Isidro Valera was ordered arrested by a Quezon City regional trial court (RTC) judge for the murder of his political rival and his police escort in front of a church three years ago.

In a one-page order dated Aug. 10, Quezon City RTC Branch 84 Judge Luisito Cortez also ordered the arrest of Valera’s security escort Army Sgt. Leo Bello and aide Jerry Turqueza.

Cortez recommended no bail be granted to Valera, Bello and Turqueza.

Police said they have witnesses testifying that Valera, Bello and Turqueza were involved in the assassination of Abra Rep. Luis “Chito” Bersamin in front of the Mt. Carmel church in Quezon City on Dec. 16, 2006.

His police escort, SPO1 Adelfo Ortega, was also killed in the process.

The suspects were also charged with frustrated murder for wounding bystanders Allan Sawadan and Rolly Labaja.    

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Jesus Verzosa said the charges against Valera, Turqueza and Bello as well as others identified only as Jeff, Jun-jun and Mel and several unidentified suspects were anchored on the confession of two arrested suspects – Freddie Dupo, former vice mayor of La Paz town in Abra, and Sonny Taculao.

Dupo and Taculao told Verzosa that the killing of Bersamin was planned at a beach in La Union and a safehouse in Marikina City in the presence of a certain “Uncle.”

The two arrested suspects pointed to Valera as the financier and mastermind in Bersamin’s ambush-slay. Bersamin was considered as Valera’s closest political rival in the May 2007 elections.

Dupo, Taculao and former Army sergeant Rufino Panday are in jail.

Panday was the first suspect to be arrested. He initially confessed to his participation in the murder but later recanted, though police maintained that his confession was supported by physical evidence.

Dupo and Taculao were arrested in Baras, Rizal on Oct. 20, 2007 and confessed that while they were in hiding Valera sent them money on three occasions: first was P15,000, the second was P10,000 and third was P25,000, all delivered by Bello.

Police said Turqueza was the gunman in the Bersamin killing, though investigators earlier tagged Salvador Barbosa as the triggerman.

Verzosa has recommended to the Department of Justice (DOJ) that Dupo and Taculao be considered for the Witness Protection Program because they helped in the filing of charges.

The arrest warrants for Valera and his co-accused were forwarded to the PNP, the National Bureau of Investigation and other law enforcement units for implementation.

Valera, whose listed address is at 26 Guerrero and Jocson streets in Xavierville Subdivision Phase 1, Loyola Heights, Quezon City was last seen two weeks ago, accompanied by his wife, in a restaurant in Baguio City.

Valera, who is a cousin of the victim, has denied the allegations and claimed he was a victim of “trial by publicity.”

High hopes for justice

The arrest warrants have raised the Bersamin family’s hopes. “Our family is very happy,” Bersamin’s daughter, Charito, told The STAR. “We have painstakingly waited for this day.

Charito said she thanked God because the trial will soon start. Several months ago, now Supreme Court Justice Lucas Bersamin, the victim’s elder brother, said he believed the warrant against Valera would soon be issued.

Charito said their family feels “vindicated that the judge finally issued (Valera) the warrant of arrest.” – With Artemio Dumlao