Department of the Interior and Local Government Secretary Juanito Victor Remulla on Wednesday said the newly launched National Forensics Institute (NFI) is a major step in transforming the country’s justice system, providing accurate and science-based forensic results crucial in solving crimes.
Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony held at the University of the Philippines Manila, Secretary Remulla emphasized the institute’s importance in strengthening criminal investigations.
“Here, we are certain why, we are certain what was the cause of death, and the scientific evidence for the convictions or acquittals of our suspects is also certain,” he said.
Present at the launch were Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla, Australian Ambassador H.K. Yu, Monash University Senior Vice President Craig Jeffrey, and UP Manila Chancellor Michael Tee.
The NFI, the first of its kind in the Philippines, was created through Administrative Order No. 29 issued by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
The order also established a technical working group (TWG) chaired by the Office of the Executive Secretary and composed of members from the DILG, DOJ, DOH, DFA, DBM, CHED, the Presidential Human Rights Committee Secretariat, and UP Manila.
UP President Angelo Jimenez said the NFI will help produce more forensic medicine experts, enhance the capacity of law enforcement for science-based investigations, and promote a justice system anchored on human rights, transparency, and accountability.
Dr. Raquel Fortun and Dr. Cecilia Lim, the country’s only two forensic pathologists, will serve as core faculty members alongside experts from UP and Monash University under the Master of Science in Forensic Medicine program.
The creation of the NFI fulfills one of the Philippine government’s commitments during the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights held in Geneva in December 2023
