MANILA, Philippines — Mel Oragon, the suspect arrested in the May 13 Senate shooting, tested positive for gunpowder, the Southern Police District (SPD) confirmed Monday.
“Based on the results, [the suspect] tested positive for nitrates,” Police Lieutenant Margaret Panaga, SPD spokesman, told reporters in an interview at Camp Crame.
A paraffin test, also known as dermal nitrate test, is a forensic procedure used to detect gunpowder residue on a person's hands. This is usually performed on suspects of gun-related crimes to establish whether they have recently fired a gun.
The test, however, is not foolproof. Results can yield false positives if the person has been in contact with other substances containing nitrates, such as fertilizers, certain medications, or even some cosmetics.
In this case, the positive results do not conclusively establish that Oragon had indeed fired a gun.
“That’s what we are still establishing,” Panaga said.
Confiscated from Oragon were dozens of live ammunition.
