Identifying bodies from razed factory may take two months

MANILA — The Philippine National Police Crime Laboratory said it may take two more months before they finish identifying the bodies burned in the slipper factory in Valenzuela City, last Wednesday.

Senior Supt. Emmanuel Aranas said they are starting the execution of the DNA tissues of the 72 workers of the Kentex Manufacturing Corp.

“Today, we are starting the extraction of DNA from tissues which may last two months,” he said.

He also assured the process of identifying the DNAs which will cost around P20,000 will be shouldered by the PNP.

Three bodies have already been identified while the PNP Crime Laboratory is still working on 69 others.

The PNP Crime Laboratory has already gathered tissue samples from the victims’ relatives which will be used to compare with the victims’ samples.

Meanwhile, two days after the fire, authorities already decided to have the remains temporarily interred at the Arkong Bato Cemetery in Valenzuela City.

This is while the victims’ identification are still yet to be finalized.