DOJ confirms mutilated remains found in Tarlac are those of missing ex-CA justice Pizzaro

MANILA, Philippines—The Department of Justice (DOJ) on Monday (Dec. 21) said the mutilated remains found in Capas town, Tarlac province more than a month ago belonged to former Court of Appeals Associate Justice Normandie Pizzaro, who had been reported missing a week before his body was found last Oct. 30.

“Yes, based on DNA test result,” Justice Undersecretary Adrian Sugay told reporters when asked to confirm reports that the remains were that of Pizarro.

Eric Distor, director of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), said the NBI’s forensic team conducted a DNA test on the recovered body to determine identity since its fingers, which could have offered a set of prints, and hands had been cut off.

Sugay said the former justice, who retired in 2019, was last seen alive at a casino in Clark Freeport, Pampanga, last Oct. 23.

Pizarro had spoken over the phone with one of his sons around noon on the day he was reported missing, Sugay said.

“His car, an early model Honda Accord, was later on discovered somewhere in San Simon, Pampanga,” he added.

Pizarro had written several controversial rulings before he stepped down from the appellate court. These included the acquittal of Janet Lim Napoles, the convicted brains of the P10-billion pork barrel scam, of serious illegal detention in a case filed by whistleblower Benhur Luy.

He also penned the decision that voided a Hawaii court decision granting $2 billion worth of damages to victims of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos’ martial law.

The retired justice also wrote the January 2018 ruling that absolved former Palawan Gov. Joel Reyes of ordering the killing of a journalist.

TSB