By Christopher Lloyd Caliwan | Philippine News Agency
At least six out of the 91 bones retrieved from the Taal Lake could possibly have come from a human, a Philippine National Police Forensic Group (PNP-FG) official said on Tuesday as the search for the missing sabungeros continues.
In a press briefing held at Camp Crame, PLTCOL. Edmar Dela Torre, PNP-FG DNA Laboratory Division office-in-charge, said the 91 bone pieces so far recovered came from the five sacks retrieved during search operations at the lake that began last Thursday.
“As of now, ang positive natin na baka of human origin is six pieces. Out of the 91, six pieces,” Dela Torre said.
Asked how forensics experts were able to tell the bones were possibly human, Dela Torre said: “By morphology, it’s of human origin.”
According to Dela Torre, the bones were first dried out, sorted out as either of human or animal origins, then subjected under DNA profiling. These profiles would be cross-checked with the 18 DNA profiles collected through swabbing from relatives of the missing sabungeros.
“We need to make it clear to the people na very challenging kasi considering submerged siya sa tubig,” Dela Torre said, adding that they applied established protocol in testing the bones to make the results admissible in court.
PNP-FG Deputy Director for Administration PCOL. Francisco Supe Jr., for his part, said bone structures like the pubic bone, ischium, ilium, and the foramen, as well as holes in the bones, were considered during the forensics test.
“Mayroon sa animals na ganoon. Pero if ‘yong shape is peculiar sa humans, makikita mo talagang pang-tao siya. Sa tingin pa lang ito,” Supe said.
The search for the abducted cockfighting aficionados was prompted by the revelation by whistleblower Julie “Dondon” Patidongan (alias “Totoy”) last June that the sabungeros were killed, tied to sandbags, and thrown in the Taal Lake.
Retired cop
Meanwhile, retired PLTGEN. Jonnel Estomo on Tuesday denied the allegations of whistleblower Patidongan linking him to the case.
“I categorically deny my involvement in any manner and I will present evidence to clear my name, sapagkat ang pag-uugnay sa aking pangalan ay walang sapat na patunay. And while I won’t get ahead of any investigation, naniniwala ako na dapat ang katotohanan lamang—at hindi sa salita na galing sa iba—ang mananaig sa paghahanap ng katarungan,” Estomo said in a statement sent to reporters covering Camp Crame.
Estomo said his legal team will be taking legal action against Patidongan. “I am ready to answer any allegations at the proper forum to clear my name. I have faith in the impartial justice system and due process of the law,” he added.
Patidongan had alleged that Estomo was among the “Alpha Group” members giving pieces of advice to alleged mastermind Charlie “Atong” Ang on how to deal with sabungeros involved in cheating or game fixing.
Ang had already denied the allegation and filed an administrative case against Patidongan before the National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM). The NAPOLCOM said it would release its decision on the matter in 60 days.
Patidongan had also linked Estomo and 11 other police officers to the bloody war on drugs of the previous administration.
