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Ex-Abra gov Valera found guilty in Bersamin killing



(Updated 5:13 p.m.) A local court judge in Quezon City on Wednesday morning found former Abra governor Vicente Valera guilty of two counts of murder in connection with the killing of former Abra representative Luis Bersamin and his police escort in December 2006.
 
A report on GMA News TV's "Balitanghali" said Judge Roslyn Rabara-Tria of the Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 84 sentenced Valera and his co-accused to up to 40 years in prison.
 
Also found guilty were Valera's co-accused, Rufino Panday and Leo Bello.
 
Bersamin and his bodyguard were shot dead at the Mt. Carmel church in New Manila, Quezon City on Dec. 16, 2006.
 
Valera and the two co-accused were also found guilty for the frustrated murder of Bersamin's driver Allan Sawadan.

Bersamin is brother of Justice Lucas Bersamin.

"Per promulgation of sentence this morning, all accused in People vs Vicente Isidro Valera, Rufino Panday and Leo Bello were convicted of two counts of murder and one count of frustrated murder and sentenced to reclusion perpetua," said Justice Secretary Leila de Lima in confirming the ruling. —ALG/KBK, GMA News
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