DNA testing is “best option” now – NBI

CEBU, Philippines - While the Philippine National Police (PNP) is leading operations for the identification of unidentified casualties of the sunken MV Saint Thomas Aquinas, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has expressed their willingness to assist in the identification.

Dr. Rene Cam, NBI medico legal officer, explained that they are on standby if the PNP would need their help.

Cam explained that the PNP is responsible for the identification of the casualties since the tragedy was a man-made disaster.

Based on the memorandum of agreement between the two law enforcement agencies, Cam said that in cases of man-made disasters, the PNP is tasked to do the identification while for natural disasters, operations are led by the NBI.

Cam said the International Police (Interpol), who also helped in previous incidents like the identification of casualties on board the ill-fated MV Princess of the Stars in 2008, is also waiting if the PNP would need their help.

With most of the retrieved bodies in a decomposing state, Cam said that the DNA testing would be the best option.

However, this is a more expensive option, said Cam, adding that would cost more than P500,000 for 50 samples of DNA.

Like in the Princess of the Stars incident where DNA testing was used, Cam said it was the Interpol that shouldered the expenses since they also have their own equipment for DNA processing.

But he proposed for the companies involved in the collision to take part in shouldering the expenses. Cam is pushing for the provision of DNA processing equipment here in Cebu. This way, Cam said they can also save time since they won’t need to send the DNA samples to Manila. —(FREEMAN)