BANGUED, Abra – Abra Governor Vicente “Vicsyd” Valera criticized Thursday the establishment of numerous police checkpoints near his residence in Zone 7 this town, branding this as a harassment against him.

The checkpoints were set up by Task Force Abra headed by Senior Superintendent Eugene Martin which was sent by the Philippine National Police to maintain peace and order and prevent any violence in the province.

Seeing that there are even checkpoints leading to his house in Bangued, the capital town, Valera vowed to report and file appropriate complaint directly to the chief of the PNP and to the office of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

Valera returned to Abra on Thursday after more than a month’s stay in Manila when his name was dragged in the slaying of Abra lone district Congressman Luis “Chito” Bersamin.

He said he had to return home to visit his constituents and monitor the different projects he had started.

Residents and supporters warmly welcome the governor near the provincial boundary of Ilocos Sur and Abra, as well as at the public plaza and the provincial capitol.

His arrival coincided with the meeting of the Mayor’s League at the capitol, attended by 23 out of 27 Abra mayors.

He protested his also being subjected to bodily check, same as members of his family and visitors.

“Bakit ang daming checkpoints dito sa daan papasok sa aking tahanan? Ano ang purpose nila sa paglagay ng checkpoint at pati ako na Gobernador ng Abra at nakatira dito ay sinisita? Lahat ng aking mga bisita ay sinisita, Bakit?”, Valera asked.

He charged that these acts of the task force constitute abuse of his privacy.
The governor said he will consult with his lawyer for the filing of the appropriate complaint against these acts with concerned agencies and to the office of President Arroyo.