3-5 sets of skeletal remains found at DOJ compound, says spox

The skeletal remains accidentally found at the Department of Justice (DOJ) compound in Manila could belong to three to five people, Justice spokesperson Mico Clavano said Friday.

“Near the surface may nahukay na mga bone o buto, skeleton, and 'yung remains mga three to five, estimate ito, three to five sets of skeletons were found, barely on the surface,” Clavano said in an ambush interview.

Clavano said they are set to meet with noted forensic pathologist Dr. Raquel Fortun on Friday afternoon to discuss about the grisly discovery.

“She seems to have her hands full with the DOJ, 'no? But so she'll be here with an anthropologist and she advised us the next time na makuha natin 'yung ganong klaseng skeletons or remains na not to touch it,” he said.

Clavano said they were unaware of this and thus immediately turned over the remains to the National Bureau of Investigation.

According to Clavano, they will also meet with other archaeologists and anthropologists when asked about Fortun’s tweet expressing concern about the grouping of bones.

“We will be meeting several other archaeologists, anthropologists, para ma-discuss natin ‘yung posible nating gawin,” he said

Clavano said the skeletal remains were found while workers were digging up the foundation for a soon-to-be-constructed four-story library.

DOJ halts construction

Meanwhile, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla, Fortun, anthropologist Tess de Guzman, and archaeologist Michael Canilao inspected the construction site.

Remulla said the DOJ will halt the construction for the time being.

“Sinabi din namin stop all work kasi nga that’s the process when the area is positive. Hinto lahat ‘yan. Talagang maaalantala lahat ng trabaho,” De Guzman said in a separate ambush interview.

(We advised them to stop all work because that’s the process when an area is positive. Everything should be stopped. All work will be affected.)

In response, Remulla said, “yes, we agreed with that already.”

Asked how long the investigation will take, the experts said they must first study the construction site anew with their equipment on Monday.

Meanwhile, Canilao said that there is a possibility that the remains are from World War 2 but stressed that it is “hard to say.”

Citing the NBI, Remulla also said that he believed there were around four remains.

Permit

According to De Guzman, individuals must first obtain a permit from the National Commission of Culture and the Arts (NCCA) before an area undergoes development.

“Prior to the development, especially in Metro Manila, dapat meron kayong NCCA permit. There’s a process before there’s an AIA prior to the development,” she said.

For his part, Remulla said this is what should be done for all sites with historical value.

“Ano yan dapat this is what we should do sa lahat ng sites na may historical value but not many people respect that. We’re trying to follow this now,” Remulla said.

Meanwhile, Fortun asked the public to look into the science in dealing with human remains.

“Itaas naman natin yung level. There’s a science here. Pag nakakita ka ng human remains, you call the experts. Hindi ka basta-basta kukuha,” she said.

(So please, let us raise the level. There’s a science here. If you see human remains, call the experts. Don't just get them.)—KBK, GMA Integrated New