On the recommendation of specialists, the Department of Justice (DOJ) stopped the construction of a structure on Friday following the finding of skeletal remains in the dig site on Thursday.
Dr. Raquel Fortun, a forensic pathologist, Dr. Maria Teresa De Guzman, a social anthropologist, and Dr. Michael Canilao, an archaeologist, were asked to visit the location where the remains were discovered.
“Stop all work kasi nga that’s the process. When the area is positive, hinto lahat yan, talagang maantala ang trabaho,” De Guzman said.
The stratigraphy, or soil makeup, must be examined first, which they plan to begin by Monday.
Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla, the justice secretary, approved the suggestion.
“We agreed with them already. Ipi-peel lang nila ang cement layer, kasi dun din papunta yun. We’ll give them a chance to work before we proceed with everything,” he said.
A library building is being constructed inside the DOJ complex, a project that Remulla highlighted had previously been delayed.
The NBI Forensic Division located and analyzed multiple bones, including a skull with a hole, on Thursday.
Initial statements from DOJ spokesperson Asec. Mico Clavano and Remulla, both citing the NBI, indicated that three to five sets of remains had been found.
DOJ halts construction after discovery of skeletal remains
The notion that the skeletons could have come during World War 2 when Manila was made an open city and severely damaged is being investigated by experts.
Before World War II, Palma Hall at the University of the Philippines stood where the major structure in the DOJ property, De las Alas Hall, now stands.
According to a DOJ document describing the history of the Justice complex, it became the Justice complex when UP relocated to Quezon City after most of the university’s facilities were destroyed following the Battle of Manila.
The handling of the skeletal remains was questioned by Fortun.
When the circumstances of their discovery should have been preserved, the bones and head were simply picked up and thrown together, she observed.
The American and Japanese embassies would be interested, according to Fortun, if the remains could be linked to the Second World War.
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