Naga village chief found dead in his office

NAGA CITY, Philippines—A barangay chief in this city was found dead in the village hall early Tuesday in what witnesses said was an apparent case of suicide.

Salvadora Ortoa, village councilor, said they found Alex Nero, chief of Barangay Liboton, slumped on a chair with a gunshot wound on his temple on Tuesday morning.

Ortoa said she and five other barangay officials had stayed with Nero in the village hall Monday night as Nero was in distress due to a family problem.

“Nero read to us a long letter detailing, among others, that when he dies his wake must be held at the barangay hall,” said Ortoa.

She said they stayed late into the evening with Nero but left the village chief with his driver to keep him company until early morning Tuesday.

The driver, however, left Nero at around 6 a.m. to take a shower in the bathroom of the barangay hall when he heard a gunshot.

Ortoa said the driver hurried to Nero’s office but found his boss already dead with bullet wound to the temple. A police investigation was ongoing, she said.

If you or someone you know is in need of assistance, please reach out to the National Center for Mental Health (NCMH). Their crisis hotlines are available at 1553 (Luzon-wide landline toll-free), 0917-899-USAP (8727), 0966-351-4518, and 0908-639-2672. For more information, visit their website: (https://doh.gov.ph/NCMH-Crisis-Hotline)

Alternatively, you can contact Hopeline PH at the following numbers: 0917-5584673, 0918-8734673, 88044673. Additional resources are available at ngf-mindstrong.org, or connect with them on Facebook at Hopeline PH.