BANGUED, Abra – A murder complaint had been filed against two arrested suspects in the gunslaying on Saturday of Abra Provincial Board Member James Bersamin.

The suspects were arrested on Sunday by members of the newly created “Task Force Usig” after the two were positively identified by witnesses as the ones who shot and killed Bersamin while he was jogging around the town plaza of Bangued.

Senior Supt. Rogelio Damaso, Abra police provincial director, identified those arrested as Misael Gatuc, 39, of barangay Sinapangan, Zone 6, Bangued, Abra; and one JulieAldaca, 22, of Barangay Lub-lubba Dolores, Abra.

Both were named respondents in Case number IS 2006 – K-381 filed at the office of the Provincial Prosecutor in Bangued.

Insp. George Latia, chief investigator of the Abra police, said that both suspects are reportedly jobless.

The two are temporarily detained at Bangued municipal jail pending their investigation as to the real motive behind the killing of the provincial board member.

“We are presently conducting intensive and deeper investigation into the case to know if the two suspects were members of a gun-for-hire syndicate and to find out the real motive for the killing,” Latia said.

Board Member Bersamin was a third-term member of the provincial board of Abra.
He was a close political ally of Gov. Vicente “Vicsyd” Valera, and a relative of Congressman Luis “Chito” Bersamin of the lone district of Abra. (PNA)