Cop in firecracker stall ambush positive for gunpowder burns

MANILA, Philippines - The policeman, who reportedly owned the illegal firecracker stall where an ambush of a police team recently happened but denied firing shots during the attack, has tested positive for gunpowder burns.

This means Police Officer 1 Faizal Mala fired his gun during the attack in Fairview on Thursday, said Chief Inspector Rodel Marcelo, head of the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) Criminal Investigation and Detection Unit, citing the result of the paraffin test.

Marcelo said this has been submitted as evidence before the fiscal hearing the complaints against Mala.

Based on the report of Chief Inspector Maridel Rodis, chief of chemistry section of the QCPD Crime Laboratory, Mala’s Pietro Beretta pistol was also fired. According to Marcelo, this pistol could be Mala’s service firearm. The suspect could not present papers for the firearm.

“Since it (Beretta pistol) tested positive for nitrate, it means it was fired during the incident,” Marcelo told reporters in an interview.

Mala was charged with murder, frustrated murder, illegal possession of firearms and violation of Republic Act 7183 or the law regulating the manufacture, sale, distribution and use of firecrackers before the Quezon City prosecutors’ office on Friday night.

He waived his right to a regular preliminary investigation and will be detained as the fiscal determines if there is probable cause to indict him in court. Mala’s sister-in-law, Hanna Maoten-Shiekdugar, underwent inquest proceedings for illegal possession of a knife and violation of RA 7183.

Police Officer 2 Bernardo Quintero was killed and PO2 Jessie Adajar was wounded in Thursday’s ambush. The two policemen were checking on the illegal firecracker stall, reportedly owned by Mala, when they were attacked.

Marcelo said he believes the attackers prepared for the return of the policemen since the area was raided days before Thursday’s ambush. According to the police official, the attackers used high-powered firearms like Armalite and carbine rifles, among others, and were in “combat position” when they targetted the police team.

Marcelo said they are tracking four other men who reportedly ambushed the lawmen. One of them is reportedly a brother of Mala.