Village chief charged for killing of amok

CAMP PACIANO RIZAL, Laguna—A village captain in Lumban, Laguna province, turned himself in to authorities hours after he shot dead an amok in what he claimed was an act of self-defense.

Lumban police chief Senior Insp. Richard Corpuz on Monday said Ramir Abad, 36, Barangay (village) Primera Parang chief, surrendered to the police on Sunday evening.

Abad claimed he was only defending himself from Rodel Batangan, a villager who reportedly went amok on Sunday afternoon, Corpuz said.

The police official said Batangan, who had just recently gotten out of prison, was drunk and armed with a knife, prompting  other residents to seek help from the village chief.

“[Abad] said the victim (Batangan) tried to stab him so he had to shoot him down,” Corpuz said in a phone interview. Batangan suffered a bullet wound in the chest and died instantly.

Abad left a .45 cal. pistol after escaping from the scene but he surrendered later that evening. He was detained at the local police station and was charged with homicide.

Corpuz said they were still trying to verify if the village official carried a license for the firearm. Maricar Cinco, Inquirer Southern Luzon