DNA results to take a month

CEBU, Philippines - The Philippine National Police Crime Laboratory-7 has extracted DNA, fingerprint and dental data from more than 60 cadavers brought to the Cosmopolitan Memorial Chapels for identification from the MV St. Thomas Aquinas.

Medico-legal-officer, Dr. Nestor Sator said it could take a month before DNA results will be released.

Sator said that femur samples from unidentified cadavers will be brought to the Crime Laboratory at the Camp Crame for DNA testing while those which have already been identified will be for DNA profiling only.

“This is in case cadavers will not be identified meron na tayong naka-profile na DNA that will be cross-matched to the relatives na gustong mag-claim,” he said.

Sator explained that the cadavers were bloated not because of water but due to the breaking down of complex proteins to simpler components which leads to the formation of gases in the body.

“Bodies bloat due to decomposition when gases are accumulated in the body whether in water or land ‘yun talaga when it comes to state of decomposition,” he said.

The Disaster Victim Identification team is doing a speedy examination to lessen the anxiety of the families and relatives of victims.

“Para naman hindi na matagalan sa kahihintay at speedy din dahil sa health hazards and we also have guidelines to eliminate the risk of health hazards,” Sator said.

As of 4 p.m. yesterday, 25 bodies taken to the funeral home have not been identified.

Identified cadavers are not released until after claimants accomplish the documentary requirements, the Department of Social Welfare and Development-7 said yesterday.

DSWD-7 Chief for Operations Shalaine Marie Lucero said claimants must first secure the evidence needed to release cadavers.

Spouse claimants should present marriage certificates, while parents claiming children or vice-versa should present birth certificates. The claimant should also present a valid ID.

“Among giklaro nga di mi basta-basta mo-release kay in kaso naa pu’y assistance, pangitaan mi og evidence sa Commission on Audit,” Lucero said.

However, Lucero clarified that in the event that any of these documents are not available, a barangay certification that would attest the identity of the dead victim will do.

“Naa may taga-lagyo so hangyoon na lang tong nahabilin didto sa ilaha nga ipa-process ang mga papeles,” she said.

Lucero also advised the senders to submit the documents to [email protected].

DSWD has also asked the National Statistics Office to aid the claimants with the processing of the documents.

Most of the claimants who were already bringing death certificates last Monday did not get DSWD approval due to their failure to comply with the documentary requirements set by the office.

As of yesterday, Lucero confirmed that four of the identified cadavers were set for releasing.

Lucero also said that the office is ready to give financial assistance, food and clothing to support the victims and their families.

“The amount varies depending on the need of the families. I-assist pa pud namo ang panginahanglon sa pamilya,” she added.

Cebu City Mayor Mike Rama visited Cosmopolitan Funeral Homes last Monday evening and said that the management of 2GO Shipping Lines assured him they will be shouldering the transportation of the families and their dead back to their provinces. (FREEMAN)