Authorities inspect 170 Bilibid inmate corpses stored at mortuary

Authorities inspected the 170 New Bilibid Prison inmate corpses stored at the Eastern Funeral Homes, John Consulta reported Saturday on "24 Oras Weekend."

Accompanied by Bureau of Corrections and Philippine National Police (PNP) officials, the Justice Department and forensic pathologist Dr. Raquel Fortun led the inspection.

“I saw about 50 remains na medyo maganda pa in terms of... nandiyan yung pinaka-recent na namatay, and kahit papaano, mukhang suitable for examination,” said Fortun.

“Pinakita sa akin around 120 plus daw. As described earlier, mummified remains. Tuyot na, and I doubt if we could still see something there. You know, sa forensic work, we try,” she added.

According to a GMA Integrated News source, the corpses were piled up. Some of the bodies have been in the funeral home for over three months.

“We have to fix the system na hindi matatambakan. Kawawa rin yung punerarya, at kawawa yung patay na, come on, give them dignity in death,” said Fortun.

Meanwhile, suspended Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) Director General Gerald Bantag said they were addressing the issue.

“Habang hindi kinukuha yan, eh 'di inaayos yung paglilibingan. May casket din, dadalhin doon,” said Bantag.

Meanwhile, Justice Department Spokesperson Assistant Secretary Mico Clavano said, "We really have to see kung ano yung mga considerations na pumasok doon, kung bakit mas mataas ang death rate sa loob. At doon pumapasok ang report or investigation natin dito sa mga bangkay na ito.

"If there's really foul play found here, kailangan natin tingnan kung anong nangyari doon," Clavano added. "And of course, if it merits, we will really have to file cases also."

The DOJ was also focusing on the health concerns stemming from the number of corpses at the funeral home, primarily because the funeral home is located at the back of a creek in Muntinlupa.

"lyong inspection ng City Health Office shows ay nakaka-comply ang Eastern [Funeral Homes]. Siyempre ayaw naman natin tumagal ang ganitong bilang ng cadavers. That's why we are calling on BuCor and DOJ to follow iyong agreement nila with Eastern [Funeral Homes] na pinu-pull out within 90 days,” said Muntinlupa Mayor Ruffy Biazon. — Sherylin Untalan/DVM, GMA Integrated News