Tracker teams hunt down Valera

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine National Police has formed tracker teams to hunt down former Abra Gov. Vicente Isidro Valera, the primary suspect in the slaying of Abra Rep. Luis “Chito” Bersamin three years ago.

Valera was recently ordered arrested by Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 84 Judge Luisito Cortez for the murder of Bersamin and his police aide, SPO1 Adelfo Ortega on Dec. 16, 2006 in front of the Mt. Carmel church in Quezon City. In his one-page order dated Aug. 10, 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 earlier said they have witnesses testifying that Valera, Bello and Turqueza were involved in the assassination of Bersamin. The suspects were also charged with frustrated murder for wounding bystanders Allan Sawadan and Rolly Labaja. 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.”

PNP spokesman, Senior Superintendent Leonardo Espina said that while a police manhunt is now on for his arrest, Valera should surrender to the police before “other forces” get to him first.

“The Chief PNP has directed a manhunt against Valera. Ex-governor Valera should surrender so that no untoward incident happen to him. It would be better for him to surrender than other forces to take him,” said Espina. “If he claims to be innocent, he should surrender and not be exposed to other dangers,” Espina said.

Further, Espina said the PNP has already received surrender feelers from Valera whom the PNP says is still in the country.