DNA test could prove body found in Novaliches is NDFP consultant Echanis' —QCPD

The Quezon City Police District (QCPD) on Tuesday insisted that concrete proof is needed to say that the body found in a rented house in Novaliches, Quezon City was that of National Democratic Front of the Philippines consultant Randall Echanis.

In a television interview, QCPD spokesperson Police Lieutenant Johanna Sazon appealed to relatives of the victim to cooperate with authorities for the identification of the body.

She said DNA testing could be done to know the real identity of the victim. 

"Regarding po diyan, kailangan po natin ng proof na siya po talaga si Echanis na sinasabi po nila. So we are appealing kung sinuman po ang relative na makipagtulungan po sa CIDU for possible identification po talaga noong... kung siya po talaga si Echanis o si Manuel Santiago like fingerprint o DNA test," Sazon told ANC. 

Echanis' wife, Erlinda, already identified the body as that of her husband who was killed.

On Monday night, she disclosed that some policemen had forcibly taken the remains of the NDFP consultant from the funeral parlor. 

"More than ten policemen from La Loma PNP forcibly took the cadaver and will return it to Pink Petal Funeral Homes in La Loma, Quezon City under their custody," Erlinda said in a statement. 

Asked if the wife's identification of Echanis was not enough, Sazon said: "Under investigation po kasi, sir, kaya kailangan po talaga natin ng proof kung siya talaga 'yun... 'Yun nga po through DNA or fingerprint po." 

Meanwhile, Sazon also said she had no information yet why cops took the remains of the victim from the funeral parlor. 

Leftist group Anakpawis had said Echanis, 72, and an unidentified neighbor were killed early August 10. Former Anakpawis representative Ariel Casilao said Echanis was undergoing medical treatment and unarmed when "police forces" raided his house.

However, police insisted that Echanis was not among those killed. They said initial investigation had shown that the two victims were identified as Louie Tagapia, 48, and a certain Manuel Santiago.

QCPD chief Police Brigadier General Ronnie Montejo said investigators verified the identities of the victims through identification cards found at the crime scene. —KG, GMA News