Bersamin’s brother elated over murder raps filed vs Valera

Abra Gov. Eustaquio "Kit" Bersamin said Tuesday he was elated over the filing of two counts of murder against former Gov. Vicente "Vicsyd" Valera for the killing of his brother Abra Rep. Luis Bersamin and bodyguard Adelfo Ortega last December 2006. "In the past, we were very quiet. We never mentioned his name in the murder of my brother. Now we have brought out his name," said the younger Bersamin, who was in the car with his brother when the latter was shot dead in front of the Mt. Carmel Church last December 16, 2006. The murder charges against Valera, who remained at large, were filed at the Quezon City prosecutor's office by Rep. Bersamin's eldest daughter, Charito. Gov. Bersamin remained in Abra but he said that the filing of the case was talked about by the family before Charri filed the murder charges Tuesday afternoon. "We have gathered enough evidence," said Gov. Bersamin. "We know this is going to be a long way but right now, I'm very happy." The murder charges were filed after one of the alleged triggerman, Freddie Dupo, implicated Valera as the mastermind in the killing. Dupo - former mayor of La Paz, Abra - and Sammy Taculao, two of the suspects first identified by alleged lookout Rufino Panday, were captured in Rizal in October. The two, together with Panday, are now detained in Quezon City. Gov. Bersamin just wanted to retire as a businessman in Abra but after the murder of his brother, he ran for governor and won by a landslide over Valera's wife, Ma. Zita Claustro-Valera. Lagayan Mayor Cecile Luna won by a slim margin over former Gov. Valera in the congressional race. - GMANews.TV