DNA test on ‘Kulot’ illegal – Acosta
Public Attorney’s Office (PAO) Chief Persida Acosta described as illegal the DNA test conducted by the Philippine National Police (PNP) on the remains of 14-year-old Reynaldo “Kulot” de Guzman.
Since the PAO represents Kulot’s parents Lina and Eddie Gabriel, Acosta pointed out that the PNP should have taken DNA samples in the presence of PAO lawyers.
“The panel of PAO Lawyers handling the case of the murder of Reynaldo De Guzman is of the opinion that the taking of consent and DNA sample in the absence of PAO lawyers was illegal, and suspicious in that the body of Reynaldo de Guzman was positively identified by the family, the NBI (National Bureau of Investigation) and the CHR (Commission on Human Rights),” said Acosta in a statement.
“There was no issue at all on the identity of the cadaver and that there are no other claimants,” she noted.
The PNP released on Monday results of the DNA test and shocked the grieving family when it concluded that the body retrieved from the Kinabayuhan creek in Gapan City, Nueva Ecija last September 5 is not “Kulot.” It said the DNA samples taken from the cadaver and the Gabriel couple did not match. Lina explained the midwife reportedly made a mistake in writing Reynaldo’s surname when he was born the reason why he is carrying a different surname.
Despite this, the PAO chief said her office will not take any action to refute the findings of the PNP.
“The PAO Forensic Lab therefore will take no further action on the DNA result released as it appears to be of very little credibility given the circumstances surrounding its release,” she said.
Meanwhile, Dr. Raquel Fortun, chair of the UP Manila Department of Pathology expressed her willingness to conduct a DNA test on the remains.
But Acosta said the PAO does not intend to conduct another DNA test on the body.
New witness Meanwhile, Sen. Ping Lacson revealed a witness has come forward with information about the Carl Angelo Arnaiz slay.
“Walk-in. Nagpunta siya sa office ko. May address sa probinsya (He walked into my office. He left an address),” Lacson told reporters.
“We have a case. Matibay (ang kaso) kasi may corroboration mabuti may naglalabasan na testigo at ebidensya (It is strong (case) because there is corroboration. It is good that a new witness has come forward),” the former Philippine National Police chief said.
He said the eyewitness saw Carl and another minor inside a police patrol car before he was killed.
“Mayroon siyang notes na iniwan sa office na sulat kamay niya na describe niya very vividly ang hitsura ni Carl kasi nagkatinginan pa sila. Sa loob siya ng sasakyan ng pulis at nakita niya ang tama sa bandang ulunan na tumama sa autopsy report (He left behind handwritten notes in my office describing vividly how Carl looked like because they had a chance to glance at each other. He was inside the mobile car and he saw Carl’s gunshot wound in the head which appears to match the autopsy report),” Lacson said.
“So di namin siya pinagdududahan na di siya tunay na testigo. Nakita niya ang pangyayari kung saan may kasama si Carl na bata. Mas maganda kung nasulyapan niya ang batang kasama. Naroon siya. Yan ang sinasabi ng testigo but we have to formalize it (we are not doubting his testimony. He saw what happened to Carl who was with a boy. It would be good if he took a glance at the young boy. The witness was there),” Lacson added.
The Senate public order and dangerous drugs committee chaired by Lacson cancelled the Senate’s probe into the cases of minors’ killed in the Duterte government’s war on drugs campaign due to bad weather.
It will resume hearing on September 19 at 1 p.m.