Bersamin’s driver hit over retraction

BAGUIO CITY — Likening him to a "snake" that they had reared, a daughter of slain Abra Rep. Luis Bersamin scored her father’s long-time driver who had retracted his earlier statement linking three men to the lawmaker’s Dec. 16 gunslaying.

"He’s now being managed by the mastermind," alleged Bersamin’s daughter Charrie, referring to Allan Sawadan who, in a radio interview Wednesday, said he did not actually see the three suspects at the crime scene.

Bersamin was gunned down in front of the Mt. Carmel Church in New Manila, Quezon City after he had attended a wedding.

"I am calling on Allan to think twice (as to what he wants to do with his life)," Charrie said.

Sawadan, who had been Bersamin’s driver since 1990, told Bombo Radyo Laoag that the three suspects — Dominador Barbosa, the alleged triggerman; Freddie Dupo, who allegedly planned the killing; and Sonny Taculao, alleged driver of the getaway vehicle — were not in the area when the congressman was shot dead.

Sawadan’s legal counsel, Ferdinand Ignacio, claimed that PO3 Errol Bigornia, a member of Task Force Abra led by Senior Superintendent Eugene Martin, was allegedly forcing his client to sign an affidavit linking the three to the killing.

Sawadan said he refused to sign the affidavit because he did not actually see the suspects at the crime scene.

Earlier, Rufino Panday, who is under police custody, accused Abra Gov. Vicente Valera of masterminding the Bersamin killing, alleging that he (Valera) paid P5 million for the slay job.

Panday, however, later recanted his statement, claiming that he was just beaten up and harassed into implicating Valera in the gunslaying.

Dupo, former vice mayor of La Paz, Abra, is believed to be hiding in the North.

Despite the twists in the Bersamin case, Senior Superintendent Isagani Nerez, investigator of Task Force Bersamin, said they "will nail down the truth." He did not elaborate.

Supporters of Valera said Sawadan’s pronouncements further vindicated the governor who had complained of "persecution" and "trial by publicity."

Valera was arrested in Quezon City days after Bersamin’s murder for illegal possession of firearms.

Meanwhile, Valera asked Philippine National Police chief Director General Oscar Calderon to sack Martin as head of Task Force Abra as he accused him of being partisan and harassing his supporters.

Valera also asked Calderon to dismantle the checkpoints put up on the road leading to his residence, claiming that those manning these roadblocks had no nameplates.

Martin said he welcomes Valera’s request, adding that he would leave anytime if Camp Crame so orders. — With Myds Supnad