By Raheema Velasco

Following experts’ advice, the Department of Justice (DOJ) temporarily stopped the building construction after authorities recovered three to five sets of skeletal remains within their premises.

According to Justice Secretary Crispin Jesus Remulla, the site where the skeletal remains were found could be an “archaeological site.”

“We already talked to the construction people so that when they take the cement layer, if they see any sign, stop muna ‘yung work (the work should stop for the meantime), let them do their work as anthropologists and archaeologists,” he said.

Remulla invited forensic pathologist Raquel Fortun, social anthropologist Maria Teresa De Guzman, and archaeologist Michael Canilao to help the investigation.

The secretary didn’t mention how long the delay of library building would last, but noted that experts will start to examine the composition of the soil on Monday.

“We agreed with them already. Ipi-peel lang nila ang cement layer, kasi doon din papunta ‘yun (translation). We’ll give them a chance to work before we proceed with everything,” he said.

DOJ building was constructed during the Revolutionary Assembly in Naic, Cavite on April 17, 1897. A year later, the American military force established the Office of the Attorney of the Supreme Court in place of the Department.

Under the Japanese occupation, the Department was made into a “Commission.” The civilian government established by the Japanese in 1943 changed it to a “Ministry.”

Considering its history, Remulla is looking at a possibility that the skeletal remains are connected to World War II.

“Maybe this might be war time… this is what we should do on all sites that have historical value, but not many people respect that. We’re trying to follow this now,” he said.

Fortun also emphasized the importance of experts’ presence during the investigation in this critical and historic case.

“Your chances of getting info from those remains depend a lot on how careful you document and recover them and the artifacts they’re with. Refer to experts,” she tweeted.

The forensic expert added that it must be treated as any other crime scene.

Currently, the said skeletal remains were already delivered to the National Bureau of Investigation for forensic examination.