NBI seeks forensic test results on slain rob suspects’ clothes

MANILA, Philippines - The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has asked the Cavite police for a copy of the forensic report on the clothes of eight suspected robbers who were killed in an alleged shootout in Silang town last May 27.

This would be part of the NBI’s re-evaluation of the police probe on the incident.

A source told The STAR that the results of the forensic exam would show if the suspects were shot at close range or in a running gun battle.

The source said they would like to see if there were residues of gunpowder nitrates on the clothes which would indicate close-range shooting.

There would be nitrate residues if a gun were fired 24 inches away from the slain suspects, the source said.

As part of the re-evaluation, the NBI asked the police for copies of all documents and affidavits related to the probe, including the statements of 38 policemen involved in the “running gun battle.”

“Those killed were not saints, you know. But we would like to know (what happened),” the source said.

Two of the slain suspects were Jomar Pereña and Romulo Borita, wanted for homicide and robbery, respectively.

“The six others did not have pending cases only because nobody dared to file cases against them,” the source said.

As of now, the source said it is too early to conclude if what happened was a shootout or a rubout. Although no police officer was hit, the source said they have interviewed people who said there was indeed a shootout at the Silang checkpoint.