EVMail News
December 6, 2010
CAMP RUPERTO KANGLEON, PALO, LEYTE – Forensic expert Dr. Raquel Fortun, together with two colleagues, were here in the city this week to conduct a second autopsy on the bodies of EDC forester Sofronio Cortez and farmer Julius Borromeo.
To recall, the two were killed in an alleged crossfire last November 15 at the forests of the PNOC reservation while accompanying noted botanist Dr. Leonard Co who was doing a biodiversity survey and who was also killed. Co’s body was already examined by Fortun on the family’s request before flying over.
The noted forensic expert also attended a 3-day seminar on forensics training for homicide investigators of the police in the region, held at the Baybayon ni Agalon.
In a related development, the initial fact-finding report by the chairman of the Special Investigation Task Group Sr. Supt. John Sosito submitted to the PNP regional headquarters here dated November 23, 2010 disclosed that some 24 empty shells of 5.56mm were recovered by SOCO team at the site.
They also had the names of the soldiers involved in the incident, with data of their corresponding issued firearms for reference. The list would be helpful if the firearms issued to them are turned-over to the PNP Crime Laboratory for ballistics examination to find out whether the shells recovered match the firearms.
The 19th IB had already turned over nine high-powered firearms to the police, which in turn had been endorsed to the crime laboratory on Sunday yet, November 21.
The soldiers have also been asked to submit their affidavits and other pertinent documents in preparation for the possible filing of criminal charges, if evidences warrant.
The same initial fact-finding report revealed that during an ocular inspection and reenactment also conducted by probers together with the Commission on Human Rights, they discovered on the site more empty shells of M-16 rifle and other personal belongings and foodstuffs.
They also spotted two shells believed to be from an M203 grenade launcher but the SOCO did not touch it. Instead, they requested the Explosive Ordnance Division of PRO-8 to secure it for proper disposition.
It was learned from Supt. Rea Villavecencio, head of the PNP crime laboratory, that all pieces of evidence they gathered in the area are still to be submitted to PNP crime laboratory in Cebu for further examination.
She added that as of press time, the Special Investigating Task Group, even as they want to resolve the case expeditiously, are constrained not only by the existing processes that should be undertaken on physical evidences but also by the non-availability of the material accounts from the survivors. Two people survived the alleged encounter but were reportedly yet in a “state of shock”. By Miriam Garcia Desacada
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