Body found inside suitcase that of Geraldine Palma - NBI

MANILA, Philippines - Government agents on Wednesday confirmed that the body found inside a suitcase floating in the waters of Tondo, Manila two years ago was that of seven-year-old Geraldine Palma. Lawyer Reynaldo Esmeralda, deputy director for technical services of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), said the girl and her mother's DNA matched based on the analysis conducted by the International Commission on Missing Persons. Geraldine disappeared with her nanny, Marites Ontog, in Pasig City on August, 11, 2007. She was initially believed to have been kidnapped, raped and killed, but the NBI said it was a case of a bungled kidnapping for ransom. “This was a case of bungled kidnapping for ransom. From P10 million ransom, the family negotiated to reduce to P240,000. But it failed and Geraldine was killed," said Special Investigator III Darwin Francisco. Esmeralda said the DNA test result shows that the victim’s father was not Gerald, who was the one who identified the body found in the suitcase as that of Geraldine. “The DNA test confirmed that it was Geraldine and that her mother is Felma Estravela but the father is not Gerald," said Esmeralda in an interview. Prior to the NBI announcement, there were speculations that the body found in Tondo was that of another missing girl. With this development, the NBI will seek for the amendment of the information filed at the Manila Regional Trial Court (RTC) from kidnapping with rape to kidnapping with homicide. Esmeralda said that contrary to earlier reports, Geraldine was not raped since there were no lacerations found in her private part. “The case filed was kidnapping with rape but now that the body was confirmed to belong to Geraldine, we will ask for amendment of information to kidnapping with homicide," he said. The NBI meanwhile intensified its search for Ontog, the last person seen with the victim. Francisco said a search warrant has already been issued for Ontog. Two suspects, identified as Gerry Igos and Renato Bohol, had already been questioned by the police. Both had denied involvement in the kidnapping and killing. - GMANews.TV