THE policeman who was found dead inside the barracks of the old Cagayan de Oro City police (Cocpo) headquarters in Barangay Carmen tested positive for gun powder residue.
Cocpo spokesperson Mardy Hortillosa II said the paraffin test conducted by the crime laboratory suggests that Police Officer 3 Joseph Marimon held the gun which may have caused his own death.
Superintendent Hortillosa, however, said it remains uncertain whether it was indeed a case of accidental firing or if it was suicide.
He said the two other policemen under the City Mobile Force Company (CMFC) who were with Marimon at the barracks tested negative for gun powder residue based on the paraffin test.
Hortillosa refused to identify the two policemen who underwent the same test.
"Si Marimon positive ug ang duha ka police negative sa paraffin test. Giimbestigahan pa kung accidental firing siya or suicide at least nahibal-an nato nga walay foul play (Marimon tested positive while the other two policemen tested negative. But it is still being investigated whether its accidental firing or suicide at least we know that there is no foul play)," Hortillosa said.
Marimon was found lifeless at the second floor of the building with lone gunshot wound on his forehead last March 14.
His Glock 17 service pistol was found right beside his body.
The victim was also under the CMFC, which is using the Maharlika headquarters, since the new Cocpo headquarters was transferred in Barangay 40, this city.
Hortillosa said the investigation still continues so the question of whether it's an accidental firing or a suicide incident will finally put to rest.