Task force closing in on Bersamin’s killers?

SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union – The task force handling the Dec. 16 murder of Abra Rep. Luis Bersamin nearly arrested one of the gunmen in Isabela recently while another suspect was monitored in the Ilocos region.

Director Jesus Versoza, the Philippine National Police’s (PNP) chief directorial staff who has direct supervision on Task Force Bersamin, disclosed to The STAR on Monday that they already have leads on the whereabouts of the suspects.

"We have good leads (on the investigation)," he said.

Five suspects were charged in the killing, excluding Abra Gov. Vicente Valera. They are Rufino Panday, the self-confessed lookout; former La Paz, Abra vice mayor Freddie Dupo; Dominador Barbosa, the alleged triggerman; Sonny Taculao, the alleged driver of the getaway motorcycle, and a still unidentified FX taxi driver.

"No case was filed against Valera on the Bersamin murder but he has cases of murder and frustrated murder on the killing and attempted assassination of two Abra mayors. His name was mentioned in the Bersamin killing but if a witnesses later comes forward, then we will probably amend the information which we have submitted to the court," Versoza explained.

In his earlier testimony, Panday said Valera funded the Bersamin assassination for P5 million.

"Although Panday retracted his confession, there were evidences pointing to them as the culprits. There were independent witnesses who identified the store where the motorcycle recovered from the crime scene was bought. So based on these evidence, we were able to charge them," he added.

Reports alleged that Dupo was sighted in the Ilocos region and is allegedly being coddled by influential politicians.