Humane burial for typhoon victims assured

CEBU, Philippines - The executive director of the Interpol-National Central Bureau in Manila yesterday clarified reports of a mass burial of the still unidentified remains of victims of Typhoon Frank in June last year, most especially those who died in the sinking of the Princess of the Stars.

At the Kapihan sa KIA yesterday, Undersecretary Rolando Garcia said that if the government would decide to bury the unidentified victims, the remains would be properly placed in coffins.

He said the burial site would be properly marked so that when the victims’ families will be looking for their graves in the future, it would be easier to facilitate the process of identification.

Over 900 persons were recorded missing after Typhoon Frank struck northern Cebu and Western Visayas, including 820 passengers and crew of the M/V POTS.

Nine months into the disaster victim identification operations, the Interpol continues to provide its full assistance to Philippine authorities in dealing with the tragedy.

Nimal Mahagamage, team leader of the Incident Response Team of the Interpol, and Dr. Renato Bautista, NBI-DVI unit commander, were also present yesterday during the press conference. — Johanna T. Natavio/MEEV   (THE FREEMAN)