DNA tests on some ship collision victims back; 7 bodies to be exhumed

CEBU, Philippines - Two months after the mass burial of unidentified casualties of the ill-fated M/V St. Thomas Aquinas that sank last August 16, seven bodies is set to be exhumed as authorities confirmed that they have identified the cadavers.

The Scene of the Crime Operatives (SOCO) last Thursday informed local officials that they have identified seven cadavers through DNA matching.

SOCO have yet to reveal the names of the newly-identified fatalities though, said Cosmopolitan Funeral Homes Manager Bong Ebo.

"I got information about the confirmed identified casualties but as to names, wala pa. Authorities are currently getting in touch with relatives to process the claiming of the body," Ebo added.

For their part, 2GO management has assured of full cooperation with authorities and relatives of the casualties on the exhumation process.

"2GO Management will verify and confirm information from SOCO. Once confirmed, the company will arrange with Cosmopolitan Funeral Homes to process the remains of the identified casualties and assist the relatives," said Lito Salvio, 2GO AVP for Shipping Management Salvio.

Depending on the decision of relatives, remains of the casualties may be cremated or buried.

Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama lauded this development which he said ends the prolonged pain of the bereaved relatives.

"That's something that is positive. Because that will bring relatives, now completely to have all their mourning, their worries, their longings to be put to rest," Rama told The Freeman.

Councilor Dave Tumulak, Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council chairman also said that the development is very timely as it would ease the burden the families of the victims are carrying in time for Christmas.

"That is a really good development especially in time for Christmas," Tumulak told The Freeman.

CCDRRMC operations head Alvin Santillana said he is surprised that the identification process did not take long.

"I thought baya it would take time. Maybe authorities are rushing it especially that thousands of super typhoon Yolanda fatalities have yet to be identified," Santillana said.

Tumulak added that schedule of exhuming the newly identified bodies has yet to be set.

Last September, an apartment type mass burial site was constructed inside Carreta cemetery.  (FREEMAN)