By Sandra Cabangon

The Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) revealed that 60 of the 106 remaining unclaimed bodies of prisoners who died in the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) were buried on November 25, 2022.

Photo courtesy of Coconuts Manila and Philippine Star

These prisoners are part of the 176 Bilibid PDL (Persons Deprived of Liberty) bodies discovered while working on the case of Jun Villamor, the person who allegedly relayed the order to assassinate broadcaster Percy Lapid. 

“Presently po, out of the 176, bale 70 na nga po ‘yong nailibing namin. 106 na lang po ‘yong nandoon sa Eastern [Funeral Homes], 60 po ‘yong ililibing namin. ‘Yong matitira po is more than 40 po, ‘yon po kung sakali po na may dumating na relative, hingi po kami ng consent na kung pwede po ipa-autopsy,” BuCor Directorate for Health and Welfare Services Chief Ma. Cecilia Villanueva stated.

According to Villanueva, there are unclaimed bodies because relatives chose not to bring the corpses with them due to transportation and budget difficulties. They instead opted to take the death certificates of their relatives.
 
Meanwhile, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said that some bodies could no longer be autopsied. 

"Some are already mummified and dry, very dry. So valiant effort is really needed for an autopsy," Remulla stated.

BuCor released the list of the 60 buried prisoners and stated that it will bury more bodies in the following week.

"Sa susunod na linggo ay maglilibing pa po kami," Villanueva confirmed in a press conference.


Edited by Annika Gorgeana Maningo