Former Abra governor Vicente “Vicsyd” Valera was arrested in his condominium unit at Hidalgo Towers in Rockwell, Makati City last Tuesday night in connection with the killing of Abra Congressman Luis Bersamin and his police escort in Quezon City in 2006.

Supt. Franklin Mabanag, chief of the district mobile group of the Quezon City Police District (QCPD-DMG), said he and his men served the arrest warrant on Valera at 10 p.m. last Tuesday.

Valera was arrested some four weeks after Judge Luisito Cortez of Quezon City Regional Trial Court’s Branch 84 issued the warrant of arrest.

Mabanag said that the arresting units were composed of policemen of QCPD and the Makati City Police Office led by Senior Supt. Cedric Train. Mabanag said that at the time of the arrest, Valera’s wife Ching and daughter-lawyer Anne were with him.

Through surveillance and information received from contacts, Mabanag said, they were able to ascertain the whereabouts of Valera.

Mabanag said that Anne was the person whom he met at the front door of the condominium, adding she initially told police that Valera was not in.

But Mabanag insisted that they be allowed to get in, and inside, they found Valera. The former governor went peacefully with the arresting officers.

The former governor was initially brought to the Philippine National Police’s (PNP) General Hospital for checkup. He was later taken to the PNP custodial center.

Valera is accused of masterminding the murder of Bersamin who was killed in the compound of Mount Carmel church in New Manila, Quezon City on Dec. 16, 2006. Also killed in the attack was the congressman’s police escort, SPO1 Adolfo Ortega.

The aides of the former governor -- Leo Bello, Jerry Torquesa and Leo Bruno -- are also facing charges of double murder and frustrated murder in connection with the killing of the congressman.