NBI stops public viewing of ‘Princess’ victims' bodies

MANILA, Philippines - Saying it is now futile to identify them by visual means alone, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) stopped Friday the public viewing of bodies retrieved from the capsized MV Princess of the Stars. Radio dzBB's Cebu affiliate reported that the NBI noted the bodies brought in from ground zero and nearby areas are no longer recognizable as they are in the advanced stage of decomposition. NBI officials sent to Cebu said their only chance to identify the bodies now is through DNA testing being conducted by a team from the International Police Organization (Interpol). However, the NBI said it will take weeks or months before the results of DNA tests, which involve getting samples from the bodies and from relatives, can be known. The ill-fated vessel capsized off Romblon at the height of typhoon "Frank" on June 21. However, divers searching for survivors and bodies were recalled to Manila last week after authorities learned the capsized vessel was carrying 10 tons of endosulfan, a toxic pesticide. The endosulfan also triggered a fishing ban in Romblon. On Thursday, the Health department announced that water samples taken from the vessel tested negative for endosulfan contamination. More tests would be conducted on the water samples, officials said. Authorities, on the other hand, have yet to announce when retrieval operations will resume. - GMANews.TV