Ocampo still in PNP roster pending appeal, procedure

Police Regional Office-7 director Silverio Alarcio yesterday clarified that SPO1 Marcial Ocampo, the policeman convicted of the murder of Bantay Dagat official Elpidio "Jojo" de la Victoria, is still in the roster of the PNP despite his conviction.

This was clarified by Alarcio after RTC Judge Ireneo Gako convicted Ocampo and sentenced him 20 to 40 years in jail. The court gave credence to the prosecution witnesses who positively identified Ocampo as the one who shot and killed de la Victoria last April 12.

"Dapat dadaan yan sa due process hindi yan automatic may summary dismissal proceedings tayo," Alarcio told reporters.

After the summary dismissal proceedings at the regional level, the members of the board will recommend to the national headquarters Camp Crame whether or not to dismiss Ocampo.

But even if Ocampo is still in the list of PNP in Central Visayas, he will not be getting any pay as he was preventively suspended while the case was being heard.

The conviction is not yet final and executory as Ocampo's lawyers filed an appeal of the decision.

The court rejected the defense of Ocampo that he was framed by elements of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group because of the P1-million reward offer by Mayor Tomas Osmeña.

With Ocampo's conviction, the family and lawyers of De la Victoria now want to pursue the mastermind behind the killing. De la Victoria was pushing for the closure of the Visayan Sea to commercial fishing before he died, giving rise to speculation he was killed because of this.

Meanwhile, CIDG-7 director S/Supt. Jose Jorge Corpuz was elated over the outcome of the case.

"I commend the judge for amplifying our motto in seeking the truth. The conviction of Ocampo just showed that the criminal justice system is really working," Corpuz said.

Corpuz is convinced that Ocampo did not have any personal grudge against De la Victoria but was just a triggerman who had orders.

The CIDG-7 is also looking for Ocampo's unidentified accomplice in the murder, the said man was reportedly Ocampo's driver during the getaway but left Ocampo when the residents started chasing him.

Corpuz said the conviction should serve as an eye-opener for Ocampo to assist the police by revealing who ordered him to murder De la Victoria. - Edwin Ian Melecio with Ramil V. Ayuman and Flor Z. Perolina/BRP