Fugitive barangay exec seen in Caloocan bar

MANILA, Philippines - A Caloocan City barangay chairman, wanted for killing a bouncer last July, was reportedly seen frequenting a bar in Monumento, sources said yesterday.

Barangay 136, Bagong Barrio chairman Othello Ocampo is accused of shooting Wilfredo Diwa after the victim confronted him about blowing his car horn in front of the Barangay 66 hall before dawn on July 11. 

Ocampo went into hiding after he was charged with murder, according to investigation division chief Superintendent Ferdinand del Rosario, who added that he does not know if a warrant has been issued for Ocampo’s arrest.

Days after the shooting, Caloocan Mayor Oscar Malapitan ordered the relief of Ocampo as barangay chairman.

A high-ranking Caloocan police official said it is a common practice for lawyers to talk to the victim’s relatives to settle the case before a high-profile fugitive resurfaces.

He said if there is an influential person behind Ocampo, they “could do a lot of things to slow down the case” so the issuance of a warrant is delayed.

“And if there is no warrant yet, then the police could not make an arrest,” the official said.