Ex-Abra governor tagged in rival's slay remains elusive - PNP

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine National Police (PNP) has been conducting raids on the known hideouts of former Abra governor Vicente Valera in various parts of Luzon, but has not caught the man accused of masterminding the murder of his political rival, Abra congressman Luis Bersamin.

The failure of a raiding team from the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group in Camp Crame to find the fugitive politician has prompted PNP chief Director General Jesus Verzosa to form additional tracker teams to go after Valera, who he said has gone into hiding after Quezon City Judge Luisito Cortez issued an arrest warrant against him on Aug. 10.

Reports reaching Verzosa showed CIDG police officers raided Valera’s house in Xavierville subdivision, Quezon City; the Fairview, Quezon City house of Valera’s alleged girlfriend; and properties of two politicians, one in Anda, Pangasinan and the other in Cavite.

Verzosa admitted that the PNP is receiving numerous reports on Valera’s supposed whereabouts after the reward for his capture was raised to P500,000. There is also a reward for the capture of his security aide, former Army sergeant Leo Bello.

Witnesses tagged Valera as the mastermind in the killing of Bersamin and his police escort, SPO1 Adolfo Ortega, in front of the Mount Carmel Church in Quezon City on Dec. 16, 2006. Valera denied the allegation.

Reports have it that Valera’s former constituents believe that he could be involved in Bersamin’s murder because “flight is indicative of guilt.”

Represented by his lawyer, Valera asked the judge last week to recall the arrest warrant against him.  – Non Alquitran