PNP-SOCO to shoulder cost of DNA identification of Valenzuela fire victims

The Philippine National Police Scene of Crime Operations said it will shoulder the cost of the DNA identification process for the bodies of the 72 fatalities in the seven-hour fire that destroyed a warehouse in Valenzuala City on Wednesday.

A report on GMA News TV's "Balitanghali" quoted Valenzuela City Mayor Rex Gatchalian as saying SOCO officials had informed him that they will cover the cost of the DNA .

"As per SOCO, they will shoulder DNA costs as this is now a criminal investigation," Gatchalian told GMA News in a text message.

Early on Friday, lawyer Renato Paraiso, legal counsel of Kentex Manufacturing Corporation – the company that owns the burned slipper factory and warehouse – said the firm wants the government to shoulder the DNA identification process.

Paraiso said the firm would rather give the amount for DNA tests (estimated at P150,000 for each body) to the families of the victims.

"Sagot ho namin lahat iyon kasama po ang burial expense. Kung kailangan ho n'yo 'yan ilibing sa probinsya, part pa rin 'yan ng burial expense. Sagot ho namin 'yan," Paraiso said in a meeting with the families of the victims on Friday. — Amanda Fernandez/LBG, GMA News