Task Force Abra stays

Despite the initial request of Abra Gov. Vicente Valera, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) decided to retain the Task Force Abra to help maintain peace and order in the province, particularly during the campaign period prior to the May 14 elections.

Comelec-Cordillera Region officer-in-charge Romeo Brawner apparently appreciated the effort of Task Force Abra in its anti-crime campaign drive and the maintainance of peace and order in the province.

Comelec officials, led by Brawner met with Valera, Task Force Abra director Chief Superintendent Eugene Martin and other Philippine National Police (PNP) and provincial capitol officials to assess the peace and order situation in the province.

PNP chief Director General Oscar Calderon created Task Force Abra to help stop violence in the province shortly after the murder of Abra Rep. Luis "Chito" Bersamin Jr. last Dec. 16, which police believed was part of the intense political rivalry in Abra.

Valera has been working for the disbandment of Task Force Abra and the transfer of at least 450 policemen assigned in the province to other places. Abrenians and non-government organizations based in the province, however, favor the existence of the Task Force Abra.

During the meeting, Valera was forced to withdraw his petition when his camp saw the outrage of relatives of Abra policemen, who will be affected by the governor’s petition before the Comelec.

"Commissioner Brawner has decided to retain the Task Force Abra because of its good performance. But he said he will still study further if there is a really a need for change in the task force’s leadership," Martin said.

One of the placards carried by wives and dependents of police officers said: "Huwag ilipat ang aming mga Ama para ang pamilya namin di magiba ‑ Huwag isama ang mga pulis sa madumi nyong pulitika (Don’t transfer our fathers for the sake of our families. Don’t include the police in dirty politics)."

Valera reportedly wants Task Force Abra disbanded because it is part of the Camp Crame-created PNP Task Force Bersamin, which is investigating the murder of Bersamin. Former Army Sgt. Rufino Panday has confessed that former La Paz vice mayor Freddie Dupo, Salvador Barbosa and Sunny Taculao carried out the killing of Bersamin on orders of Valera for P5 million.

Although Panday retracted his confession, investigators said his earlier declaration was supported by evidence, including the receipt of the sale of the motorcycle they used as a getaway vehicle when Bersamin was murdered.

Earlier, at least 32 members of the House committee on public order and security, chaired by Pangasinan Rep. Amado Espino, recommended the retention of Task Force Abra and its commander.

Sister Rosita Mazon, of the Bangued Diocese, also conducted a survey among students, employees and other sectors in Abra and the results indicated that majority of the people of the province favor the retention of the task force, the establishment of checkpoints, and its campaign against private armed groups and loose firearms.