Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 3) — Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla on Thursday clarified the headless body found in a septic tank at the maximum security compound of the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) could not yet be determined as that of a missing inmate.
Remulla earlier said the headless body of Michael Cataroja, who has been missing since June 15, was found in the septic tank.
“Linawin ko lang po ang nangyari. Na-fake news ako na nahanap ang katawan na putol ang ulo. Yun po ang unang sinabi sa akin,” Remulla told lawmakers at a House committee hearing on Thursday.
[Translation: Let me clarify, I received fake news that the headless body was found. That was told to me earlier.]
RELATED: House probe on discovery of human remains in Bilibid septic tank set next week
At the same hearing, Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) Director General Gregorio Catapang said he would not declare anything until a more thorough examination is made.
“Naimpormahan ako na may karugtong pa yung septic tank na pangalawa and meron pa yung third septic tank. Ang position ko ngayon, not unless nabuksan ko lahat yung septic tank, I will not declare,” he stressed.
[Translation: I was informed there is a second connected septic tank as well as a third. My position now is I will not declare anything until all septic tanks have been opened.]
BuCor said bone pieces and clothes found in the septic tank were put through forensic examination in July.
