176 bodies of Bilibid PDLs unclaimed in funeral home

MANILA, Philippines — Almost 180 bodies of persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) who died inside the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) are still unclaimed since December of last year in a funeral home in Muntinlupa City.

In a report aired over GMA News’ 24 Oras last night, funeral home manager Charlie Bucani said 176 remains of dead PDLs are still not claimed from the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor)-accredited Eastern Funeral Homes in Alabang, Muntinlupa.

Bucani told GMA News that the PDLs supposedly died of natural causes, while a number were autopsied.

He added that those who died inside the national penitentiary are brought to them, except for those who died from COVID-19.

Bucani said that on average, 50 to 60 dead PDLs are brought to the funeral parlor a month.

The past month, 50 dead PDLs were brought to the Eastern Funeral Homes, including Cristito Villamor Palaña, the alleged middleman in the killing of radio broadcaster Percy Lapid (real name Percival Mabasa).

In the same report, Bucani said they already requested the BuCor to bury 126 cadavers, which are “already overdue.”