Kin has 60 days to claim cadaver

CEBU, Philippines — The Police Regional Office (PRO)-7 has given a 60-day ultimatum for the family and relatives of Franz Sabalones to claim the remains believed to be his in Quezon City.

PRO-7 Chief Debold Sinas, in a press conference, said that not one direct family member of Sabalones showed up to claim the body.

He said that as per the law, they would have to bury his remains after 60 days, for health reasons.

“The cadaver should only be there for 60 days.  After which, it should be buried in the municipality it was left for health reasons,” he said.

Sinas added that a DNA sample was already taken from the remains believed to be of Sabalones, however, the PNP does not have another sample to test it with.

He said that a direct family should come forward, either his parents, or his sibling.

Sinas has mentioned before that they requested from the Commission on Elections (Comelec) in San Fernando, Cebu for the fingerprint of Sabalones to help the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) to substantiate the identification of the self-confessed drug dealer.

However, the fingerprint from Comelec San Fernando did not match with the fingerprint from the remains of a man shot in Quezon City.

Sinas had explained that it could mean two things – the fingerprint from Comelec San Fernando, Cebu was not his or that Sabalones is still alive.

However, he emphasized that it is not conclusive and they are conducting scientific examinations to help the QCPD.

“The veracity of that fingerprint is questionable, kay kaniadto hatag lang ka picture, and hatag lang ka fingerprint. I am not saying buhi siya, we are just trying to find basis,” he said.

To recall, Sabalones was shot dead by unknown assailants while he was about to enter a billiard bar on Timog Avenue, Quezon City last April 18.

Police Major Elmer Monsalve, the Criminal Investigation Detection Unit in Quezon City Police District, said the dead body was identified through his cousin Joselito Cabilao. — GAN (FREEMAN)