DNA tests identify ex-solon, 2 others found in burned car

Credit to Author: Tempo Desk| Date: Wed, 22 Jan 2020 10:54:36 +0000

FORMER Batangas 2nd District Rep. Edgar Mendoza (Photo courtesy of Police Regional Office Calabarzon)

Results of DNA testing by the Philippine National Police (PNP) Crime Laboratory confirmed on Wednesday that former Batangas representative Edgar Mendoza and his two companions were indeed the fatalities found inside a burned car in Tiaong, Quezon nearly two weeks ago.

Doubts had been raised regarding the identities of the victims since their bodies were charred when found by the police on San Francisco Bridge in Barangay San Francisco on January 9.

“The bodies were beyond recognition,” the Crime Laboratory said in a statement.

However, authorities were able to extract tissues from the victims and compare it to the DNA samples of their immediate families.

It was then proven that the sample tissues of the victims and their relatives matched. The victims were identified as Mendoza, his bodyguard Nicanor Mendoza, and his driver Ruel Ruiz.

As this developed, Police Brigadier General Joel Coronel, Crime Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) director, bared that five individuals who are being investigated by the authorities in relation to the case have already been placed under police custody.

“We have several persons under custody now who we believe are connected to the killing of former Congressman Edgar Mendoza,” Coronel said.

The CIDG Chief, however, refused to divulge further details as to the identities or background of the five suspects in order not to jeopardize their investigation.

“We are gathering additional evidence and we will also be consulting with the Department of Justice prosecutors on this account so we would be able to file a strong case against these suspects,” h
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