Hold departure
order
sought against Valera
The Department of Justice has asked the
Quezon City regional trial court to issue a hold departure
order against Abra Governor Vicente Valera, who was charged in
connection with his illegal possession case.
State Prosecutor Romeo Senson asked Judge Marilyn Villordon
of the Quezon City RTC branch 224 to issue the order following, he said, an
intelligence report that Valera was allegedly planning to leave the country
despite pending charges against him.
Valera and two of his bodyguards identified as Pedro Castillo
and Leo Bello stand charged for violation of R.A. 1866 or illegal possession of
firearms and explosives, after they were apprehended by agents of the PNP Task
Force Limbas for a traffic violation.
Aside from illegal possession charges, Valera is also under
investigation in connection with the slaying of Abra Rep. Luis Bersamin Jr. last
December 16 while the latter was attending the wedding of his niece, daughter of
his brother, Court of Appeals Justice Lucas Bersamin.
The charges for illegal possession were filed by the DOJ last
January 2, 2007 before the Quezon City RTC.
In his five-page resolution, Senson said he found probable
cause in filing three counts of illegal possession charges against Valera and
his aides, and a total of P310,000 bail for the governor’s temporary liberty.
Similar charges were dropped against Oscar Abella, one of his
bodyguards after the inquest prosecutor on the ground of insufficient evidence.
The prosecutor said the respondents appeared to have
conspired to hold and possess all the firearms and grenade found in the
governor’s Suburban car.
"Any or all of the respondents have unlimited access and use
of said firearms found inside the car, only respondent Valera should be charged
for illegal possession of the two unlicensed firearms and grenade, based on his
letter request for the release of four firearms and Suburban, he admitted
possession and control of the firearms, all other contents," Senson said.
Among those recovered from the vehicle were four .45 caliber
pistols, 9mm MaP5, and hand grenade.
Police Supt. Alexander Roldan of the PNP Firearms and Explosives Division
later certified the respondents do not have the necessary permits to carry the
said firearms outside their residence. – Evangeline C. de Vera
