Watch more News on iWantTFC.com. Watch hundreds of Pinoy shows, movies, live sports and news.

Picked by NorthPort Batang Pier in the 2023 PBA draft, John Amores vowed to redeem himself after his infamous punching spree that forced him out of the Jose Rizal University Heavy Bombers’ roster and led to his ban from the NCAA.

“Ito ‘yong pinakaumpisa na para mabago ko, maitama ko, at maipakita ko sa mga tao na gagawin ko ‘yong mga makakabuti para sa career ko,” Amores said in at the time.

John Amores, brother freed on bail

Over a year later, he finds himself embroiled in a controversy anew. On Thursday, September 26, Amores surrendered to authorities in Lumban, Laguna after firing a gun at a basketball opponent.

MANILA — PBA player John Amores and his brother were freed on Friday after they posted bail for attempted homicide. 

The Amores siblings were accused of firing a gun at another man after a basketball game in Lumban, Laguna.

Attempted homicide complaints were filed against them before the Municipal Circuit Trial Court in Lumban earlier in the day. A bail of P24,000 was recommended for Amores and P10,000 for his brother.

“Hindi na po ako masyadong magko-comment dahil yun po ang appreciation ng fiscal’s office na ibababa po siya sa attempted homicide,” said Lumban police chief PMaj. Bob Louis Ordiz.

Investigators said they had enough 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 said.

CCTV footage earlier showed Amores disembarking from a motorcycle driven by his 20-year-old brother in Barangay Maytalang Uno at around 5 p.m. Wednesday before allegedly firing his weapon at a man.

The brothers surrendered to the police early Thursday.

NEGATIVE PARAFFIN TEST RESULT

Both of John Amores’ hands tested negative for gunpowder residue in a paraffin test, police said.

“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 said.

Amores was outdoors when he allegedly fired the gun, which could explain the negative test result, Ordiz said. He said the basketball player could have also tested negative in the paraffin test due to wind direction and temperature and the angle of the gun when it was held.

Investigators are still searching for the gun that Amores allegedly used.

Police recovered live ammunition from 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,” said Ordiz.

Amores declined to give a statement following his release.

“Di siya masyado nagko-comment about dun sa kung bakit niya binaril, kung ano reason niya bakit ganoon yung nangyari. Ang sabi niya eh sa hearing na lang siya sasagot,” Ordiz said.

The Firearms and Explosives Office is looking into whether any gun is registered under Amores’ name.

His arraignment and pre-trial is set on December 4.

— Report from Jeff Caparas, ABS-CBN News 

RELATED VIDEO: