NBI to help identify victims in burned car in Quezon

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) will join the probe of a burned car in Tiaong, Quezon in which three bodies, one of whom is believed to be a former congressman's, was found Thursday.

Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said he will order the bureau to assist the Philippine National Police in "investigating and finding the perpetrators of this horrible crime."

"The NBI's forensic experts will also be of great help in identifying the victims," Guevarra said in a message to reporters.

The victims are believed to be former Batangas lawmaker Edgar Mendoza,  Mendoza's driver Ruel Ruiz and bodyguard Nicanor Mendoza, but the police said they have to conduct a DNA test to determine the identities with certainty.

The former lawmaker's family has reportedly confirmed the burned car found on a bridge in the Quezon town was the same car he used when he left his house.

According to a police report, Mendoza, a lawyer, left on Wednesday morning to have lunch and then proceed to Calamba City, Laguna to meet a client. He was said to have gone with his driver and his aide.

This would be the last time he was seen alive, the report said.

"After noon wala na silang communication, hindi na nila alam kung anong nangyari," said Police Major Lawrence Panganiban, chief of Tiaong police.

He said a concerned citizen had informed them of a burning vehicle on a bridge in Barangay San Francisco. Police extinguished the fire at 2:28 p.m. — BM, GMA News