Abra politicians vow to end warlordism in province

MANILA, Philippines - Local politicians in Abra, headed by Gov. Eustaquio Bersamin,   vowed to end political violence and warlordism in the province in preparation for the May 2010 national elections.

Bersamin urged fellow politicians to rally behind him and work for the development of Abra, the third poorest province in the country.

“We should set aside our political ambitions and together push for developmental projects for our province to sustain its steady growth,” Bersamin said.

Bersamin also called for an end to warlordism and political killings, which police said prevailed in the province during the term of former Abra governor Vicente Isidro Valera from 1986 to 2006.

The meeting of Abra politicians in a restaurant in Pasig City was attended by Director Eugene Martin, the head of the directorate for intelligence of the Philippine National Police (PNP).

Martin restored peace and order in Abra’s 27 municipalities when he was director of the Cordillera police.

“They don’t want to suffer the fate of Valera so they decided to band themselves together for a common cause, which is the development of the province,” Martin told The STAR.

Valera was arrested Tuesday in his condo unit in Rockwell in Makati City for the murder of his political rival, former Abra Rep. Luis Bersamin, in front the Mt. Carmel Church in Quezon City on Dec. 16, 2006.

Judge Luisito Cortez, of the Quezon City regional trial court (RTC) ordered the arrest of Valera and his security aide, former Army Sgt. Leo Bello and a certain Gerry Turqueza.

Valera was also linked to several political killings and ambuscades in the province during his term as governor.

With Valera in court custody, Gov. Bersamin claimed he would reach out to his supporters and convince them of his “honest to goodness” effort to stamp out poverty in the province.

“We should put to a stop to political violence. Let us maintain a warm relationship among us and make Abra the most peaceful province in the coming national elections,” said Bersamin.

Among those who attended the meeting were Abra Rep. Cecille Luna, former governor Andres Bernos, Mayor Lando Somera, president of the Mayor’s League of Abra, and Mayors Rex Bernardez of Bucay town, Jayvee Bernos of La Paz, Jendrix Luna of Lagayan, Marco Bautista of San Juan, Boyet Castillo of Langidin, and Anno Bisares of Pidigan.

They vowed to help shed Abra’s image as the “murder” capital of the country.

Bersamin is set to convene the Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC) meeting and invite PNP chief Director Gen. Jesus Verzosa as guest of honor in the gathering to firm up a commitment to peace in the coming elections in Abra.