Bersamin murder suspect dies

BANGUED, Abra – One of the suspects in the murder of Abra Rep. Luis Bersamin Jr. in December last year died several days ago of a liver disease in a hospital in Tondo, Manila.

Charry Bersamin, daughter of the slain two-term congressman, bared this reiterating her family’s appeal to those who know the whereabouts of the four remaining suspects in the slaying of his father to help police authorities solve the crime.

She said the body of Salvador Barbosa, 44, one of the suspects in the celebrated Bersamin murder case as evidenced by the video footages taken inside and outside the Mount Carmel Church in Quezon City, was located at F.B. de Jesus subdivision, Barangay Nagkaisang Nayon, Novaliches, Quezon City.

An informant went to attend the wake of Barbosa when she learned that he was from Abra and he had reportedly killed a mayor in the province.

The informant immediately reported that matter to the Bersamin family who, in turn, requested the Quezon City police to verify information.

Later, an investigation and intelligence team of the Quezon City Police Office was dispatched to the area.

In close coordination with the informant, police confirmed the information that the body at the place was that of Barbosa.

The police team took pictures, video shots and monitored the place to identify people paying their last respects on the deceased.

Bersamin said the P1.5-million reward money for whoever could pinpoint the whereabouts of the remaining suspects in the murder of his father was still available and will be given to individuals who could help solve the crime.

On Dec. 16, 2006, Bersamin, who had just attended the wedding of his niece at the Mt. Carmel Church in Quezon City, was shot dead, together with his police bodyguard, by unidentified armed men in front of the church while he war boarding his vehicle.

Several days later, Rufino Panday, self-confessed assassin, surfaced and linked several persons in the province to the murder.

However, he later recanted his testimony, claiming he was tortured by authorities into admitting his participation in the crime, which he never did.

The four suspects who are at large include former La Paz (Abra) vice Mayor Freddie Dupo, the alleged link to the mastermind and Sony Taculao, alleged driver of the get-away vehicle.

The two other suspects, reportedly the triggerman and the lookout are still unidentified. – Dexter A. See