DOJ: Remains from Taal Lake to undergo DNA testing

Remains recovered from the Taal Lake amid the search for missing sabungeros will undergo DNA testing to determine whether they came from humans and if they were those of some of the disappeared cockfighters.

According to Sandra Aguinaldo’s report in “24 Oras” on Friday, the Department of Justice said that DNA samples have been taken from some families of the missing cockfighters. 

“The DNA matching is actually underway. Kumbaga ang gagawin po natin, kukunan natin ng DNA samples ang mga kamag anak ng mga nawawala at ima-match ho natin yan sa mga DNA na makikita natin sa mahanap natin kung sakali,” said DOJ spokesperson Mico Clavano. 

(The DNA matching is underway. What we will do is collect DNA samples from the relatives of the missing individuals and match them with the DNA we may find in whatever we recover, if ever.)

If the DNAs did not match, the DOJ said that it would investigate if it was another murder case. 

The DOJ said that it would tap forensic pathologist Raquel Fortun in the investigation of the recovered remains. 

"Definitely, you cannot do a thorough examination on site. Dadalhin mo ‘yan sa laboratory mo, most likely a morgue. Sa akin ‘yan, pa X-ray ko to be sure,” Fortun told GMA Integrated News. 

(You cannot do a thorough examination on site. You need to bring those to your laboratory or, most likely, a morgue. If I were to do it, I would have them undergo an X-ray just to be sure.) 

If the recovered remains are proven to be of humans, Fortun said, “Isipin mo agad na hindi ‘yan adult na siniksk sa sako kasi hindi kaya. So ano ‘yan disarticulated, dismembered remains, skeletal remains ba or parts na siniksik mo sa sako?” 

(Consider that it's not an adult who was packed in the sack. So they could be disarticulated, dismembered remains, skeletal remains, or parts that you stuffed in the sack.) 

"Between burning and burak, I would prefer burak kasi mahuhugasan ‘yung buto, kung buto nga ‘yan. Kasi kung burning ‘yan, medyo lumalabo ang DNA testing," she added. 

(Between burning and filth, I would prefer they are just covered in filth because the bones can be washed, if they are bones. Because if that's burning, DNA testing would be difficult.)

Further, Fortun advised authorities retrieving the remains to be careful in opening the sacks containing the bones. 

"Ilatag na ‘yung body bag doon sa ground. Tapos kailangan mong buksan ang sako, sige hiwa ka ng konti, silipin mo, pero nasa loob ng body bag," she said. "I wonder if there is even a doctor there on site or someone in-charge."

(Lay the body bag on the ground. Then you have to open the sack, just make a little cut to take a look in it... I wonder if there is even a doctor there on site or someone in charge.) 

Aside from Julie “Dondon” Patidongan, the DOJ said that another informant has knowledge of other sites where the Philippine Coast Guard can also look into. 

"There are other locals that have given similar information…Dahil lumutang nga po itong si whistleblower, biglang naglabasan din sa local area," Clavano said.

(There are other locals that have given similar information…Because the whistleblower appeared, other locals in the area also gave information.) 

"Mayroong minark ang Philippine Coast Guard na dalawang site na may nakapkapan na mga sako."

(The Philippine Coast Guard has marked two sites where they felt sacks beneath them.) –Vince Ferreras/NB, GMA Integrated News