2 more charged in firecracker stall ambush

MANILA, Philippines - Two more men have been charged with murder and frustrated murder for the ambush at a firecracker stall in Fairview in December that led to the death of a Quezon City policeman, police said Friday.

Chief Inspector Rodel Marcelo, head of the Quezon City Police District’s Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, identified the two suspects as Teddy Mala – a brother of Police Officer 1 Faizal Mala, who was earlier charged for the incident – and Sangcad Batalyon.

Marcelo said witnesses identified Teddy and Batalyon as among those who shot at Police Officers 3 Bernard Quintero and his team, who went to check on the stall several days after it was raided. Quintero died while PO3 Jessie Adajar, who responded as backup, was wounded.

Faizal, who allegedly owns the stall, was arrested right after the ambush.