Caloocan village chief ousted after running away from homicide rap

MANILA, Philippines — The Caloocan City government has appointed a replacement for the barangay (village) leader who disappeared after he was accused of killing another man earlier this month.

In a statement, the city government said that Barangay 136 Chairman Othello Ocampo, who reportedly went into hiding after he shot dead a nightclub worker, would be replaced by Barangay Councilor Doreco Nopal.

Nopal received the highest number of votes among the councilors who won in the last barangay election.

Under the Local Government Code, the highest ranking barangay councilor, or if he is incapable, the second-highest ranking, will replace the barangay chairman in case of a permanent vacancy.

Mayor Oscar Malapitan said the appointment papers of Nopal would be signed before July 25 or 10 working days after Ocampo disappeared.

Malapitan was also expected to appoint another councilor to replace the seat vacated by Nopal.

The Caloocan police are still looking for Ocampo, who allegedly shot and killed club bouncer Wilfredo Diwa at 3:30 a.m. on July 11, along 10th Avenue,  Caloocan City.

Police reports showed that Ocampo parked his car in front of the victim’s house as he fetched his son from a nearby compound. The victim, who was awakened by the continuous blaring of the car’s alarm, confronted Ocampo.

Ocampo left but when he returned a few minutes later, he shot Diwa in the face and then fled.