Thursday, July 28, 2005
Council sets aside P150T for DNA test on ‘Alona’ corpse
The Cebu City Council yesterday allocated P150,000 as payment for the DNA test that would conclusively determine the identity of the body found dumped in Dalaguete town four years ago.
The body, stuffed inside a garbage bag, was believed to be that of Alona Bacolod-Ecleo, who was allegedly murdered by husband Ruben Ecleo Jr.
Yesterday, the City Council approved Councilor Gerardo Carillo’s proposed resolution asking for P150,000, which would be paid to the University of the Philippines (UP) Natural Sciences Research Agency, which conducted the DNA analysis.
UP already took samples from the body, which the court ordered exhumed, as well as swab samples from Ruben and Alona’s siblings.
Pagcor funds
During the session, Vice Mayor Michael Rama asked Carillo why the City is shouldering the expenses for the DNA test.
Last month, the council set aside P50,000 from its Pagcor funds for the DNA test.
Interceding for the Bacolod family, the Crusade Against Violence (CAV) asked for the amount after solicitation efforts, like placing donation cans in strategic places, were not enough.
Prior to that, the City also gave P40,000 for phase 1 of the DNA testing, but it hardly paid for the whole process.
Requested by the Integrated Bar of the Philippines, whose officials took over what Yongco left behind, Carillo said the City took interest in the case because it is a high-profile example of domestic violence.
He admitted that approving the allocation posed a risk to the City officials’ safety, but they also have to see to it that justice is served.
Ecleo is a former mayor and the supreme master of the Dinagat Island, Surigao del Norte-based Philippine Benevolent Missionaries Association (PBMA).
The Ecleos used to own a house in Forest Hills, Barangay Guadalupe, Cebu City.
Threat
Mayor Tomas Osmeña, convinced that Ruben killed his wife, even called him as a threat to Cebu City’s peace and order.
The mayor also tagged Ruben as the mastermind behind the killing of lawyer Arbet Sta. Ana-Yongco, who represented Alona’s family as private prosecutor.
Ecleo, who is out on bail for the parricide case in relation to Alona’s death, contended that the body was not that of his “missing” wife.
That prompted the court to order the collection of tissue samples from the body for DNA test. (RHM)
(July 28, 2005 issue)
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