PNP: Boy found dead in Nueva Ecija not Reynaldo de Guzman

MANILA, Philippines (Update 3, 2:01 p.m) — Based on a DNA test, the body recovered at a creek in Gapan City, Nueva Ecija does not belong to 14-year-old Reynaldo de Guzman, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said Monday.

The DNA of De Guzman's parents did not match with the body found with almost 30 stab wounds, according to a report from The STAR.

Reynaldo de Guzman alias Kulot is still missing--PNP

— cecilia suertefelipe (@CESuerteFelipe) September 11, 2017

"Based on the results obtained, the source of the DNA profile obtained from the male cadaver cannot be the biographical offspring of Eduardo Gabriel... and Lina de Guzman," the PNP said in a televised press briefing.

The PNP said that they would have to ask around for reports of a missing boy the same age as De Guzman to identify the recovered body in Gapan City.

Last week, De Guzman's parents identified the body recovered in Gapan City as that of their son, who has been missing since August 17.

PAO chief: The boy found in Gapan was Kulot

 

PAO chief Acosta insists: Boy found dead in creek was Kulot as identified by parents | @edupunay

— The Philippine Star (@PhilippineStar) September 11, 2017

Public Attorney's Office Persida Rueda-Acosta said Monday that aside from the parents identifying the body, a "comparative analysis" was also done when the body was cleaned up. She said the body was compared to a photo of the missing boy.

"It’s very unfair na... ano yan... parang may nanggugulo sa kasong ito. Iba-iba lumalabas," Acosta, who was holding a press briefing when the PNP announced its findings, told reporters.

Acosta stressed that the parents identidied De Guzman through the marks on the recovered body.

"Hindi naman decomposed ang mukha nang nag-forensic exam," Acosta also said in a text message.

De Guzman was the last known companion of 19-year-old Carl Arnaiz, who was reportedly killed in a shootout with the police when he allegedly robbed a taxi driver in Caloocan City on August 18. — Patricia Lourdes Viray

This is a developing story.

RELATED: What we know so far: Killing of Reynaldo de Guzman, 14