Bersamin slay suspect acquitted on gun charge

Former Abra Governor Vicente Valera, main suspect in the assassination of his political rival Abra Rep. Luis Bersamin on Dec. 16, 2006, has been acquitted in an illegal possession of firearms case. In a 17-page decision, Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 223 Judge Tita Marilyn Villordon noted that the warrant-less search conducted by the police on Valera’s vehicle was invalid because his arrest was questionable. “The searches made upon the vehicle of the accused by police officers on Dec. 29, 2006 are invalid and all evidence obtained during such search is absolutely inadmissible being the fruit of the poisonous tree," Villordon said in her ruling. “It is worthy to reiterate that this Court entertains serious doubts as to whether the firearms were indeed possessed by the accused when it was found in the vehicle considering the circumstances of the search made. And it is by the same doubt that constrains this Court to acquit the accused," she added. Valera was arrested along Commonwealth Avenue on Dec. 29, 2006, two weeks after Bersamin was killed at the parking lot of Mt. Carmel Church in New Manila, Quezon City, after attending a wedding ceremony. Valera and several companions were then on board a vehicle that had no plate number but was using a siren, which the police initially cited as reason for the arrest. The ensuing police search on the car produced a caliber .45 colt MKIV and a grenade, both of which had no permits, court records showed. Valera, now detained for Bersamin’s assassination, denied owning the firearm and the grenade, saying they were “planted" by the police. He also argued that the search on his vehicle was illegal since the police had no search warrant to conduct such inspection. Following his acquittal on the illegal possession of firearms case, Valera expressed optimism that eventually his pending cases will be dismissed. “Justice has been done. Ang lahat ng ebidensiya sa akin ay puro planted. I hope my other cases will be dismissed," said Valera on Tuesday after his acquittal. The former governor is facing murder and frustrated murder charges before QC RTC Branch 94. — KBK, GMA News