The New Bilibid Prisons in Muntinlupa City (INQUIRER / LYN RILLON)
MANILA, Philippines — Ten of the 176 cadavers of persons deprived of liberties (PDL) stored in a funeral parlor have been buried, said Bureau of Corrections Officer-in-charge Gregorio Catapang Jr. on Friday.
Police authorities learned about these bodies piled up at the Eastern Funeral Homes during their investigation of the death of Cristito “Jun Villamor” Palaña, who was the alleged middleman in the killing of journalist Percival “Percy Lapid” Mabasa.
“Ang total niyan ay 176. Sa ngayon, linibing namin, 10. Ang naiwan sa Eastern, 166,” said Catapang in an interview on ANC.
(The total is 176. We have buried 10. 166 are still at Eastern.)
When asked if the families of these inmates were told about their deaths, Catapang said that they were likely informed.
“I assume that they were informed, but unfortunately walang gustong mag-claim,” said Catapang.
Catapang added that the remaining unclaimed bodies will undergo autopsy, and their names will be released to the public.
Unclaimed cadavers will be temporarily buried at the New Bilibid Cemetery.
Department of Justice (DOJ) Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla previously stated that they are coordinating with the Philippine General Hospital to conduct the autopsies.
“We will try to locate the families first. Ask their permission, if possible, because we’ll have them autopsied first. If possible (the bodies would) just be used for the pursuit of science at the UP College of Medicine,” said Remulla.
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