Bersamin brod tags Valera in slay

BANGUED, Abra — Court of Appeals Justice Lucas Bersamin accused Abra Gov. Vicente Valera yesterday of being behind the murder of his brother, Abra Rep. Luis Bersamin Jr.

"I am now breaking my silence: I’m accusing Governor Valera as my brother’s killer," the younger Bersamin shouted before thousands who attended the burial of the slain lawmaker yesterday.

Some sympathizers marching to St. James cemetery here began shouting, "Mamamatay tao, mamamatay tao (Murderer, murderer)!" as the queue passed in front of the house of Valera and people along the funeral route tried to get a last glimpse of the fallen leader.

At the St. James Cathedral where the body of the murdered congressman was brought for the funeral Mass, Msgr. Nilo Peig expressed disappointment that Bersamin was killed during Christmas "at a time when the season calls for loving one another."

During the Mass, Justice Bersamin charged that his brother’s perceived political enemy was consumed by greed for power and jealousy.

"Inggit at sakim (jealousy and greed for power)," he said in apparent reference to the governor.

The CA justice later told newsmen that he was convinced Valera was behind the murder of his brother after seeing Task Force Bersamin head and police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) director Chief Superintendent Jesus Versoza say before national television Tuesday night that it was likely the Abra governor was involved.

"Last (Tuesday) night, I was liberated from my commitment (to observe silence)," the CA magistrate said. "As far as my family is concerned, Valera is (our) suspect."

Charrie, the slain congressman’s eldest daughter, was elated by her uncle’s change of mood. "I’m very glad he broke his silence," she said.

Charrie had been emotional when she accused Valera of being behind the murder of her father.

As the funeral march passed in front of the Valera ancestral home, just adjacent to the Bersamin’s family house, Charrie led sympathizers in hurling invectives at the residence.

Bersamin, who stood as a sponsor of the wedding of his niece, was gunned down along with his police escort SPO1 Adolfo Ortega in front of Mt. Carmel Church in New Manila in Quezon City last Dec. 16.

A former constable who admitted participating in the assassination named his alleged cohorts and implicated Valera.

Valera went into hiding but repeatedly denied the allegations, claiming he was a victim of a "vicious frame-up."

The CIDG has summoned Valera to help in the investigation.

Versoza said a letter was sent to Valera’s residence in Xavierville Subdivision in Quezon City but the governor was not around.

He said the letter of invitation was received by a caretaker he identified as Fred Berbosa.

Versoza said they have yet to build up evidence against Valera linking him to the murder.

Philippine National Police (PNP) spokesman Chief Superintendent Samuel Pagdilao Jr. was apparently playing safe on the issue when he refused to give a categorical answer on whether Valera can be considered a suspect.

He noted Valera was only implicated by former constable Rufino Palope Panday, who admitted acting as a lookout during the killing.

"Based on (Rufino) Panday’s statement, Valera is a suspect," Pagdilao said.

Panday had claimed being told by Freddie Dupo, a former vice mayor in La Paz, Abra that they would kill Bersamin on orders of Valera for P5 million. Panday said he was given P100,000 for serving as a lookout.

Sources said investigators are looking into the possibility that Valera’s caretaker was a relative of one of the alleged gunmen, Dominador Barbosa, who is still at large.

Despite the admission made by Panday, police officials stressed the testimony is not enough to file murder charges against Valera and the other suspects who are still at large.

National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Regional Director Ruel Lasala said they have yet to build up the case against Valera in its parallel investigation over the Bersamin murder.

Although the NBI is also tracking down Valera, Lasala stressed it is only an invitation for the governor to come out and shed light on the case.

"That is why no warrant of arrest has been issued against him," he said.

Lasala said they will need another witness to corroborate the admission made by Panday linking Valera to the murder.

Police in Abra said they are taking precautions that some supporters of the slain congressman might force the issue against Valera.

Abra police director Senior Superintendent Rogelio Damaso said they anticipated the peace and order situation in this troubled province could worsen after the burial of Bersamin.

"There are reports that the supporters of the late congressman might take revenge but we are ready to cope with the situation," Damaso said.

Task Force Abra commander Senior Superintendent Eugene Martin added the Bersamin family and relatives "will not take revenge" since they still have faith in the justice system.

A number of lawmakers, on the other hand, said the assassination of Bersamin might be a prelude of the things to come in the May 2007 elections.

Other lawmakers like Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers proposed to reinstate the death penalty law by pointing out the wave of political killings in the country.

Bringing back lethal injection is a "very strong and effective deterrent against heinous crimes as it will make criminals think twice before embarking on any dastardly scheme," Barbers said.

Sen. Joker Arroyo, for his part, rejected the call for the reimposition of the death penalty.

Arroyo said it will be impossible to revive the death penalty law since Congress just repealed it barely six months ago.

Arroyo said the Senate had crossed party lines to support the abolition of capital punishment.

Arroyo maintained the death penalty is not a deterrent to crime.

He said law enforcers should double their efforts against criminality. He added that it is wrong to attribute the increase in crime to the abolition of death penalty. -with Myds Supnad, Cecille Suerte Felipe, Christina Mendez, Evelyn Macairan