DEPARTMENT of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jonvic Remulla on Wednesday said the newly launched National Forensics Institute (NFI) is a major step in transforming the country’s justice system.
Speaking at the launch and groundbreaking ceremony of the NFI project at the University of the Philippines in Manila, Remulla underscored the NFI’s role in strengthening criminal investigations.
The NFI, initiated through Administrative Order (AO) 29 issued by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., is the first of its kind in the country that would provide accurate and science-based forensic results crucial in solving crimes.
Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, along with Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla, Australian Ambassador H.K. Yu, Monash University Senior Vice President Craig Jeffrey, and UP Manila Chancellor Michael Tee, led the groundbreaking rites of the NFI project.
The AO 29 created a technical working group (TWG) to oversee the establishment of the institute.
The TWG is chaired by the Office of the Executive Secretary with the DILG, Departments of Justice, Health, Justice, Foreign Affairs, Budget and Management as well as the Commission on Higher Education, the Presidential Human Rights Committee Secretariat, and UP Manila as members.
UP President Angelo Jimenez said the NFI will train and produce more forensic medicine experts, boost the capacity of law enforcement to conduct science-based investigations, and promote a justice system grounded on human rights, transparency, and accountability.
Dr. Raquel Fortun and Dr. Cecilia Lim, the only two forensic pathologists in the country, will serve as core faculty members alongside experts from UP and Monash University under the Master of Science in Forensic Medicine Program.
The NFI’s creation fulfills one of the Philippine government’s pledges during the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights held in Geneva in December 2023. (Lloyd Caliwan)
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