Reelected Abra Gov. Eustaquio Bersamin wrote Philipine National Police Director General Alan Purisima to congratulate the Cordillera police command for keeping Abra peaceful and orderly during the May 13 elections.

Bersamin, who maintained a wide margin of votes against his rival, former representative Cecilia Luna, informed Purisima the peaceful and orderly elections in the province gave the public more reasons to trust the PNP.

The governor said the service rendered by the PNP also helped restore the integrity of elections in the conflict-stricken province.

Bersamin was forced to enter politics after his brother, former representative Luis, was assassina-ted in Quezon City in December 2007.

In his letter, Bersamin said  Cordillera Police Director Benjamin Magalong, Regional Special Operation Task Group commander Rodolfo Soriano, and Provincial Director Benjamin Lusad and his men were behind the success of elections in the province.

“Indeed, the restoration of the integrity of elections in Abra through the unyielding commitment and leadership of Gen. Magalong, supported by an able PNP Abra team, is truly a momentous achievement for the province, expected to finally usher the long-sought political and institutional maturity in the province,” reads Bersamin’s letter to Purisima.

The governor added, “the Abrenio community is truly one and united in their esteemed acknowledgement of the profound and effective role of the PNP towards the achievement of this historical feat in the province.

“The culture of fear and violence has enveloped Abra over the past decades due to series of shooting incidents resulting in deaths of politicians, including their supporters.”

The PRO-Cor earlier reported only one election-related violence was reported during Monday’s election, which was the discovery of the body of the campaign manager of incumbent Bangued Mayor Ryan Luna.

No other shooting incident was reported in other towns of Abra.