Ballistic tests match with guns of 2 cops

CEBU, Philippines - The ballistic results of the firearms of the two policemen who killed each other in Barangay Guadalupe last weekend ruled out the possibility of a foul play.

Doctor Nestor Sator, chief of the PNP Crime Laboratory 7, said that the results show that the empty shells and slugs recovered from the crime scene matched with that of the firearms used by PO1 Rey Gabutan and PO1 Anthony Gonzales.

“Ang empty shells nga na-recover sa crime scene ni-match sa standard sa armas ni Gonzales. It’s like sa tawo, no two persons has similar finger prints, mao sad sa armas,” Sator explained.

He added that the slugs recovered from the crime scene and from the head of Gabutan were fired from the cal. 45 pistol used by Gonzales.

Sator said the ballistic test results would exonerate PO3 Arnel Palanas and PO2 Lejay Gumandal from the suspicions that they were involved in the crime.

Sator however said they will also compare notes with the National Bureau of Investigation which is conducting a parallel investigation into the incident upon the request of the father of Gonzales.

“Dili nato pasagdan nga mag-depend lang ta diha sa ilang giingon nga nagpinusilay ang duha,” said Sator.

Aside from Palanas and Gumandal, the shooting incident was also witnessed by Natalie Apostol, who owned the house, and food vendor Victoria Saling.

On the other hand, paraffin test results show that gunpowder burns were found not just on Gonzales and Gabutan but also in the body of Palanas and Gumandal who were at the crime scene when shooting happened.

Since Palanas and Gumandal also tested positive of the gunpowder burns, Sator said the two could have also fired a gun within 72 hours before the incident happened.

It is however possible that they may have acquired the powder burns when Gonzales and Gabutan fired their respective gun because they were just two meters away from them.

“Naa sa’y electric fan gaandar adtong tungora unya ang direction sa hangin padung pud nila (the electric fan was on when the shooting happened and the wind direction was towards them),” said Sator.

The four policemen were having a drinking session last Saturday afternoon when a heated argument allegedly ensued between Gabutan and Gonzales resulting in the allegedly shootout.— (FREEMAN)