THE Department of Justice (DOJ) has yet to turn over the alleged human remains recovered by technical divers in the ongoing search for the remains of missing “sabungeros” to the Forensic Pathology Department of the University of the Philippines.
Dr. Raquel Fortun, who was tapped to help in the forensic investigation of the case, said the DOJ earlier announced the authorities would bring the supposed remains to UP for forensic examination.
Fortun said UP Manila, where the forensic pathology department is located, “will provide a space for the remains” until the forensic examinations is completed.
Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla earlier asked the UP Anthropology Department and the Forensic Pathology Department to assist in analyzing the remains recovered by Coast Guard divers from the Taal Lake in the ongoing search and recovery operations for the sabungeros.
Remulla also asked for technical and forensic assistance from the Japanese government.
DOJ Assistant Secretary and spokesperson Jose Dominic Clavano last month said they expect the UP and Japanese experts to provide additional information such as how long the sabungeros have been dead.
Authorities started the search and recovery operations in Taal Lake last month following the revelation of suspect-turned-whistleblower Julie “Totoy” Patidongan that the sabungeros, who have been missing since 2021, have been killed and their bodies dumped in Taal Lake.
