Aguirre to order NBI to conduct second DNA test on ‘Kulot’

Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II on Tuesday said he will order the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to also conduct a DNA test on the body of the 14-year old boy found in Gapan, Nueva Ecija.

The body was identified to be that of Reynaldo “Kulot” De Guzman, the companion of 19-year old Carl Angelo Arnaiz. The two were missing since Aug. 10.

Kulot’s body was positively identified by his parents based on the marks on his body. However, the Philippine National Police (PNP) released a DNA result saying it was not that of Kulot. Kulot’s DNA, the PNP said, should match the DNA sample taken from his parents unless he is not their biological son.

READ: Body found in Nueva Ecija not 14-yr-old Reynaldo De Guzman — PNP

“I will ask the NBI to conduct a second DNA examination,” Aguirre said over the phone Tuesday.

The DOJ chief there could be a reason why the DNA result did not match.

“But it does not mean that the body found is not Kulot,” he added.

“As a parent, you will know your child. This boy grew up with them for 14 years and they cannot recognize their own child,” Aguirre said, adding that aside from the markings on the body, it is still easy to identify the victim because it was not bloated and still on the early stages of decomposition.

“A further examination is needed,” he added. /je