Local team to identify remaining 'Stars' victims

CEBU - Despite the pullout of the members of the International Police, the local Disaster Victims Identification (DVI) team has assured they will continue to work hard to identify the remaining unidentified typhoon victims, especially that of the sinking of the M/V Princess of the Stars.

Dr. Renato Bautista of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) said some of their members are even planning to proceed to Panay and other nearby areas in Western Visayas to gather samples from the relatives of those who went missing during the tragedy to be used for the DNA tests.

There are still some 150 unidentified bodies that were part of the 523 bodies recovered from the ill-fated vessel that capsized in the seawaters off Sibuyan Island in Romblon during the height of typhoon Frank in June 21, 2008.

Interpol Secretary General Ronald Noble has formally turned over yesterday to the Philippine government through Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro the equipment that they have used here during their seven-month operation to help the government in identifying the bodies.

The mobile morgues and refrigerated vans were used by medico-legal experts to store recovered bodies of the ship passengers.

Although Interpol authorities refused to give the estimated cost of the donated properties, Dr. Bautista said it may be worth several millions of pesos.

Teodoro thanked the Interpol for spending a huge amount of money for the chemicals and other reagents used in the DNA testing that resulted to the identification of 351 bodies.

After the turn-over of the laboratory equipment yesterday, Justice Undersecretary Ernesto Pineda reminded the members of the NBI who will act as the custodian of the property to take care of them.

“Secured them in a safe place so it will not be exposed to thieves,” Pineda told the members of the NBI during the event that was held at the Malacanang sa Sugbo that attended by some local officials.

Noble said the nearby countries can also use the equipment if they need it and all they have to do is just coordinate with the NBI.

Cebu City north district Rep. Raul del Mar, Cebu sixth district Rep. Nerissa Soon-Ruiz and Cebu fourth district Rep. Benhur Salimbangon, who also attended the affair announced they will sponsor a resolution before the House of Representatives to commend the Interpol of their laudable job.

Cebu City acting Mayor Michael Rama also handed over to Noble the original copy of the City Council’s resolution that commends the Interpol for its efforts to help in the identification of the bodies.

Rama also gave Noble an image of the Santo Niño as a gift that was happily accepted by the Interpol secretary general.

The members of the Interpol arrived in Cebu just six days after the sinking of M/V Princess of the Stars to help in the identification of the cadavers that were recovered from the ill-fated vessel using modern techniques. — Rene U. Borromeo/WAB   (THE FREEMAN)