Aguirre orders NBI to do DNA test on boy found in Nueva Ecija

September 12, 2017

Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II has ordered the National Bureau of Investigation to conduct DNA test on the corpse of a boy found in Nueva Ecija last week after a similar test by the Philippine National Police showed it was not of Reynaldo De Guzman, the companion of an alleged taxi robber.

"A second DNA test is necessary to counter-check the PNP results and really answer the question on the identity of the cadaver," Aguirre said in an interview.

Aguirre said the results of PNP's DNA test was a surprise after the parents said the body was of their son.

"You will really wonder why the DNA did not match when the parents were very certain that the cadaver was that of their son. The parents should know their son very well because they raised him for 14 years," said Aguirre.

The boy's body was found in a creek in Gapan, Nueva Ecija last week. His head was wrapped in tape and his body more close to 30 stab wounds.

Public Attorneys' Office chief Persida Rueda-Acosta, who is providing legal assistance to Kulot's parents Eddie and Lina, disputed the police's DNA results.

In a statement on Tuesday, Acosta raised legal question on the conduct of the DNA testing in the absence of a lawyer.

"There was no issue at all on the identity of the cadaver and that there are no other claimants. The PAO Forensic Lab therefore will take no further action on the DNA result as it appears to be of very little credibility given the circumstances surrounding its release," she said. DMS