A HIGH-ranking police official from Camp Crame said more chemists and medico-legal officers will be recruited to bolster the crime laboratory personnel.
Chief Supt. Augusto Marquez Jr., the Directorate for Investigation and Detective Management head, said forensics is vital in the investigation process.
“Kung tatanggalin natin ang forensics, wala na ang PNP (Philippine National Police),” he said.
Marquez represented Police Director General Ronald dela Rosa in the inauguration of the new P25-million building of Regional Crime Laboratory Office (RCLO) 7, which caters to the forensic needs of the police offices in the whole Visayas.
The two-storey building stands on the lot donated by the Cebu Provincial Government in Barangay Lahug, Cebu City in March 2014.
The construction of the edifice started after the groundbreaking ceremony was done in July last year.
DNA
Marquez said state-of-the-art equipment, including the device for DNA testing, will be housed in the RCLO 7.
Provincial Legal Officer Orvi Otega said the Provincial Government helped the PNP because a crime laboratory can help solve crimes.
Aside from Cebu, Crime Laboratory Director Chief Supt. Emmanuel Aranas said modern RCLO buildings were constructed in Tacloban City, Mindoro and Davao.
Marquez, during his speech, also asked if the Capitol can give a piece of lot for the building of Women and Children Protection Center (WCPC)-Visayas Field Unit.
The WCPC is currently occupying a space in the Police Regional Office 7.