British nat'l positive of gunpowder residue

CEBU, Philippines - The investigation into the death of two teenagers last weekend in the town of Balamban took another twist as the man who accused them of shooting at him also tested positive for powder residue.

British national Frank Richard Bell, 60 and residing in Busay, Cebu City, tested positive in the paraffin test.

Bell claimed that two men on board a motorcycle fired at his vehicle when he passed the town of Balamban on his way home from Toledo City.

The British national went to the Cebu Provincial Police Office immediately upon his arrival in Cebu City to report the incident.

The two men – cousins Marlon Allan Flores Borja and Harold Flores of Toledo City, were found dead along the highway in barangay Cansumoroy, Balamban shortly after they were alleged to have tried to ambush Bell.

Bell’s vehicle, a Kia Sorento, was hit on its windshield, headlight, and roof, while the British national was wounded when he was hit by splinters.

Sr. Supt. Erson Digal, director of the CPPO, has ordered the Balamban police to investigate the case further.

The two fatalities also tested positive for gunpowder burns, but the medico-legal officers did not find any bullter wounds on them.

Digal said that their theory now is that the cousins fired at Bell’s car and the Briton fired back.

No gun was however recovered from the two fatalities or Bell.

The parents of the two fatalities are now contemplating on filing charges against Bell, said Digal.

Another angle that the police are looking into is that of a love triangle involving Bell, his wife and Borja, who was alleged to be her lover.

Digal said that they gathered evidence that will pin down the motive of the ambush as love triangle, but he would not divulge any further details yet. — Gabriel Bonjoc/NLQ  (FREEMAN NEWS)