AFP still waiting for DNA result of retrieved human remains after Samar clash

MANILA, Philippines — The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is still waiting for the result of the DNA test on the human remains found in an explosion following the recent clash between government forces and suspected communist rebels in Samar.

There were reports that among those on board were rebel leaders Benito and Wilma Tiamzon, but the military said this is not yet confirmed.

“The one wherein lumabas na it involved the Tiamzon couple, right now what we are doing is that we have the services of the Philippine National Police, particularly Soco, to gather DNA samples and come up with a comparison,” said AFP chief-of-staff Lt. Gen. Bartolome Vicente Bacarro during a chance interview in a Philippine Navy event in Manila on Monday.

“We are still awaiting the result of the DNA test being conducted by the PNP,” Bacarro added.

So far, authorities have recovered six sets of human remains from different parts of Samar, according to the military.

Authorities said they were the remains of three men, two women, and one whose sex is yet to be determined.

In August, soldiers clashed with a group of suspected NPA members aboard a motorized banca south of Buri Island in Catbalogan City, Samar.

RELATED STORIES:
Soldiers, suspected communist rebels clash off Samar coast

4 more sets of human remains found in Samar after boat explosion

EDV