MANILA, Philippines — The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) said it may take at least two more weeks before the DNA test results confirm whether two decomposed bodies recovered in Myanmar belong to the missing Filipino couple who disappeared after the magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck the country last month.
“Wala pa result… Mga two weeks pa ‘yon,” NBI Director Jaime Santiago told GMA News Online.
According to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), the DNA samples were taken from relatives of the missing spouses who flew in from Dumaguete last week to assist in the identification process.
“The NBI should confirm in a few weeks if there’s a match with the DNA samples taken from two very decomposed corpses whom some Filipinos in Myanmar say may be the missing spouses,” DFA Undersecretary Eduardo De Vega said in a separate message.
The husband and wife are among four Filipinos initially reported missing following the devastating quake. Two have already been confirmed dead.
Authorities hope the DNA results will help bring clarity to the victims’ families and expedite efforts to account for the missing.