Noy lauds conviction of Bersamin killers

MANILA, Philippines - President Aquino yesterday hailed the conviction of former Abra governor Vicente Valera last Wednesday for the murder of Abra Rep. Luis Bersamin in 2006.

“He was my former colleague in Congress and I was really gladdened when I learned that the case already had a resolution. After nine years, finally, Chito (Bersamin) and his family obtained true justice,” Aquino said in his speech during the groundbreaking of the future site of the Supreme Court complex in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City.

Valera and his co-accused, Rufino Panday and Sgt. Leo Bello, were convicted of two counts of murder and one count of frustrated murder. The court said the three conspired to assassinate Bersamin in front of Mt. Carmel church in Quezon City on Dec. 16, 2006.

Bersamin’s police escort, Senior Police Officer 1 Adelfo Ortega, also died in the attack while his driver Allan Sawadan was injured. A 13-year-old parking attendant was also injured after being hit by a stray bullet.

The court imposed the sentence of reclusion perpetua without eligibility for parole, or up to 40 years in prison. – With Artemio Dumlao