DNA extraction identifying Sendong victims should ensue - Abaday

“We will invite the NBI or other experts to continue identifying the human remains.”

This was the manifestation of Councilor Roger G. Abaday, during the 100th regular session of the 20th City Council, presided over by Vice Mayor Bebot Rodriguez, in response to the request of Councilor James Judith for a ceremonial burial of the nearly 300 Typhoon Sendong victims, who, even after roughly 13 years, are still unidentified. 

In his special report, Judith said that, in 2012, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) extracted DNA samples from the recovered bodies in the hopes to identify them and be given proper burial by their respective family. But the extraction had to be stopped due to lack of budget.

Because of this, the City Engineering Office, with the approval of the NBI, decided to enclose the bodies in a concrete vault located at the back of a chapel at the City Memorial Park.

However, Councilor Abaday pointed out that the DNA extraction should not have been stopped due to lack of funds, as there are still ways to identify the victims.

“From what I know, human remains will stay intact for a period of 20 years. It does not decompose easily, (and) it can still be identified by (other) experts,” he said.

“One way of identifying the remains is through their skull and denture formations,” Abaday added.

Judith explained that there is no need for the bodies to be exhumed and be transferred to another place. He only wants a ceremonial burial to be held for the victims and to be attended by their families and relatives.

In 2011, Typhoon Sendong wreaked havoc in Cagayan de Oro City, claiming thousands of lives and causing billions in damage to infrastructure and agriculture.