Kulot burial to push through Wednesday

Despite questions regarding the result of a DNA test disputing the identity of the body they have been holding a wake for, relatives of Reynaldo "Kulot" de Guzman will push through with the burial on Wednesday morning.

According to a report on Unang Balita by Victoria Tulad on Wednesday, the body believed to be De Guzman's will be buried at the Pasig Public Cemetery.

As "pabaon", De Guzman's clothes and shoes will be placed inside his coffin.

From Cainta, Rizal where the wake is being held, the remains will be brought to Maybunga, Pasig at 8 a.m. for a funeral mass.

Although tired, Eduardo Gabriel, father of de Guzman, patiently watched over the body he believes is his son's during the overnight vigil on Tuesday.

Gabriel cried for justice for his son.

"Diyos na ang bahala diyan, batas na kung sino talaga ang ano 'yan. 'Yun lang ang akin, mabigyan ng katarungan ang anak ko," he said.

The family has repeatedly insisted that the body in the coffin is De Guzman's.

Gabriel said there were three signs that the body is De Guzman's: a wart on the knee, a scar on the neck, and a dead nail.

Among those who stayed for the last night of the wake were members of the Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption.

According to Annie Jereza, VACC assistant chief coordinator, De Guzman's mother Lina Gabriel is staying at their safehouse along with her youngest child.

The family is fearing for their safety due to the presence of suspicious-looking men around their house.

Jereza added that VACC will have Lina treated for depression.

Gabriel, however, said that Lina is now feeling better.

Also at the last night of the wake were personnel from the Witness Protection Program (WPP). De Guzman's family has been placed under the WPP.

Jereza also said they are not yet sure how many of De Guzman's family members will be brought to the safehouse after the funeral.

De Guzman was reportedly the companion of Carl Angelo Arnaiz in the wee hours of August 18 in Cainta, Rizal after the latter went out to have snacks with friends. Arnaiz was found dead past 3 a.m. after allegedly robbing taxi driver Tomas Bagcal and shooting it out with Caloocan Police. De Guzman's body was found in a creek in Gapan, Nueva Ecija bearing multiple stab wounds.

However, the Philippine National Police said DNA test result showed that the body fished out of the creek in Nueva Ecija is not De Guzman's.

The family refused to have another DNA test conducted. Gabriel said the police is just muddling the issue. —KG, GMA News