DNA of relatives of Filipino victims in MH17 submitted to authorities

The DNA samples from the relatives of the Filipino victims in the July 17 downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 in Eastern Ukraine have already been provided to authorities in the Netherlands to expedite the identification process of the deceased, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) reported on Wednesday.

According to DFA Spokesperson Charles Jose, the Philippine Embassy in the Hague reported that the Netherlands-based sister of Irene Gunawan already provided their DNA samples to Dutch authorities.

Likewise, the dental records of the Filipino victims have also been obtained.

Irene and her two children Sherryl Shania, 14, and Darryl Dwight; 20, perished in the tragic shooting of flight MH17.

Jose said the corresponding records of the children are likewise being obtained.

Once the identity of a body is made by the Dutch and international forensics team, the ministry will inform the next of kin if they wish to view and confirm the identity of the deceased relative, he said.

Jose added that the ministry is initially working on a one month timeframe before the identities of all the bodies and body parts may be determined and the next of kin will be invited to view the remains. However, the process may take possibly longer.

Two siblings of Irene from Pagbilao, Quezon are scheduled to travel to the Netherlands anytime to be reunited with their sister to allow them to comfort each other in their hour of grief.

One of the siblings may go to Ukraine but it is still subject to consideration by the airlines due to security situation in that country. (Roy Mabasa)

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DNA of relatives of Filipino victims in MH17 submitted to authorities