Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) player John Amores and his brother were released on Friday after posting bail for attempted homicide.
The Amores brothers were charged of firing a gun at another man following a basketball game in Lumban, Laguna.
They had been charged with attempted homicide earlier that day in Lumban’s Municipal Circuit Trial Court. Amores’ bond was recommended at P24,000, while his brother’s bail was P10,000.
“Hindi na po ako masyadong magko-comment dahil yun po ang appreciation ng fiscal’s office na ibababa po siya sa attempted homicide,” PMaj, the Lumban police chief, said. Robert Louis Ordiz.
Investigators claimed they had sufficient evidence against the Amores brothers.
“Nai-present naman natin sa fiscal’s office lahat ng hawak nating ebidensya including yung ating CCTV footage, at yung sworn statement ng ating victim at witness, kasama rin po doon para maging admissible po yung CCTV footage yung sworn statement nung mayari ng CCTV,” Ordiz told reporters.
CCTV footage previously showed Amores getting off from a motorcycle ridden by his 20-year-old brother in Barangay Maytalang Uno around 5 p.m. Wednesday before reportedly shooting his gun at a man.
The brothers turned themselves into the police early Thursday morning.
NEGATIVE PARAFFIN TEST RESULTS
According to investigators, a paraffin test revealed that none of John Amores’ hands contained any gunpowder residue.
“Although negative yung lumabas na result hindi naman po ito nagpapatunay na hindi siya nagpaputok ng baril, yung nga po dahil may iba-ibang factors kung bakit walang presence ng gunpowder nitrate yung kamay,” Ordiz told reporters.
Amores was outside when he reportedly discharged the gun, which could account for the negative test result, Ordiz added. He stated that the basketball player may have tested negative in the paraffin test because of the wind direction, temperature, and angle at which the weapon was held.
Investigators are still looking for the gun Amores reportedly used.
Police found live ammo at the crime scene.
“Ang ating intel ay naghahanap pa rin along the highway ng Maytalang Uno hanggang Pagsanjan dahil yun nga po ang sinabi niya dun niya raw binato after the incident,” Ordiz said.
Amores refuses to discuss his release.
“Di siya masyado nagko-comment regarding dun sa kung bakit niya binaril, kung ano ganoon yung nangyari. “Ang sabi niya eh sa hearing na lang siya sasagot,” Ordiz explained.
The Firearms and Explosives Office checks whether any firearms have been registered in Amores’ name.
His arraignment and pre-trial date are slated for December 4.