7 cops named persons of interest in Kerwin Espinosa shooting negative in paraffin test —PNP

The seven persons of interest in the shooting of Albuera, Leyte mayoral candidate Kerwin Espinosa have tested negative in paraffin tests, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said Tuesday.

PNP Public Information Office chief Police Colonel Randulf Tuaño however said that the seven police officers remain under investigation as there are still ways to test negative in paraffin tests, such as using chemicals or using gloves before shooting, according to a report by Glen Juego on Super Radyo dzBB.

“Yung paraffin test po ay nakuha na po ang resulta, negative po ang resulta nito...Ang paraffin examination po hindi siya conclusive na ikaw ay nagpaputok o hindi,” he said at a press conference.

(The paraffin test has already been tested and the results are negative...The paraffin examination is not conclusive as to whether you fired a shot or not.)

“Puwede po siya pumasok sa circumstantial evidence na puwede po natin palakasin. Magmula doon, idugtong-dugtong po natin ang pagkalap ng mga ebidensya po,” he added.

(It can be used to corroborate circumstantial evidence, which we can strengthen. From there, we can piece together the evidence.)

The persons of interest remain under restricted custody while investigations are ongoing, and will still face charges for the illegal possession of firearms after being caught with 10 firearms, 9 of which had no records.

A paraffin test is a process used by law enforcement authorities to confirm whether an individual has fired a gun.

Espinosa was shot during a campaign event on Thursday afternoon in Barangay Tabgas.

According to the police report, Espinosa was waiting for his turn to speak when an unidentified man “hiding in the ceiling of the stage shot the victim from behind using an undetermined firearm.”

Also wounded were candidates for vice mayor Mariel Espinosa Marinay and a minor. —Jiselle Anne Casucian/KG/RSJ, GMA Integrated News

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