Seven police officers tagged as persons of interest and placed in custody in connection with the shooting of Albuera, Leyte mayoral candidate Kerwin Espinosa have tested negative in the paraffin test.
However, PNP Public Information Office Chief PCol. Randulf Tuaño clarified that the seven officers, who are assigned in Ormoc, are still under scrutiny and have not yet been cleared.
Tuaño explained that there are many ways to avoid testing positive in a paraffin test, which is used to determine whether a person has recently fired a gun.
"Hindi naman po ibig sabihin na nag-negative sila ay hindi na po sila nagpaputok ng baril," said Tuaño.
The Police Regional Office 8 has already filed charges against the persons of interest for carrying firearms without proper authorization despite the enforcement of the gun ban.
Moreover, during a press conference at Camp Crame, Tuaño confirmed that the compound where the officers were apprehended is connected to a politician.
The property is reportedly owned by a friend of a local congressman, but the PNP has chosen not to reveal the name at this time.
Meanwhile, the police officers found at the location explained that they were simply taking a break when the shooting occurred.
