Sandigan orders arrest of Air Force officer in Aquino-Galman slay

The Sandiganbayan’s third division yesterday issued an alias warrant of arrest for a former Philippine Air Force (PAF) captain wanted for the 1983 assassination of Sen. Benigno Aquino Jr. and who is now believed to be hiding in the United States.

Sandiganbayan Justice Godofredo Legazpi issued the warrant for the arrest of PAF Capt. Felipe Valerio upon the request of the Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption. The VACC made its request through a motion filed by the Public Attorney’s Office (PAO) on Oct. 12.

Valerio headed Task Force Alpha, a 10-man team tasked to secure Aquino once he stepped down onto the tarmac of the Manila International Airport and to maintain the senator’s security all the way to his waiting cell in Fort Bonifacio where Aquino was to have been detained upon his return from exile in the US.

The Manila International Airport has since been renamed the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), in memory of Aquino, who was gunned down on the tarmac on Aug. 21, 1983.

VACC chairman Dante Jimenez expressed hope that the issuance of the arrest warrant against Valerio would pave the way for a reopening of the Aquino-Galman double murder case, which had led to the conviction of 15 soldiers.

These former soldiers are serving double-life sentences at the New Bilibid Prisons (NBP) in Muntilupa City. They sought assistance from the VACC in clearing their names.

"This could boost the reopening of the case," Jimenez said. "Valerio is one of the masterminds of the case and his testimony could clear some of those convicted."

He said Valerio may provide information that would acquit at least 12 of the former soldiers convicted for the murders of Aquino and Rolando Galman, allegedly one of the triggermen ordered to shoot Aquino.

Jimenez said the VACC is forming search teams that will look for Valerio in the US with the help of the Department of Justice (DOJ).

After Valerio is located, the DOJ will begin the extradition process that will send Valerio home.

After the 1986 People Power revolution, Valerio — alias Edwin Salvador and Philip Valeo — left for the US and is now reportedly working as a pilot for an airline in Seattle, Washington. Although charges were filed against him in connection with the Aquino assassination, Valerio fled to the US before the trial started. — Mike Frialde