Identity tests begun on Filipino geologist

Identity tests begun on Filipino geologist

MANILA, Philippines (AP): Experts began tests yesterday to determine whether a body identified as that of Filipino geologist who jumped out of a helicopter after discovering a disputed gold deposit in Indonesia was actually his.

Bayani Palad, chief fingerprint analyst of the National Bureau of Investigation, said it would take several days before they could confirm whether the body belonged to Michael de Guzman, chief geologist of Canadian mining company Bre-X.

"The test is difficult because the body was already swollen and showed signs of decay" when the fingerprints were taken, he said.

The prints are to be compared with fingerprints of de Guzman provided by Indonesian authorities.

Palad said the bureau had no fingerprint files of its own for de Guzman. Most Filipinos applying for jobs overseas normally supply fingerprints to the bureau as part of a clearance process.

Palad said his findings would have to be approved by 13 other bureau experts before they could be released.

A dentist assigned to compare de Guzman's dental records with those of the body reportedly was out of town.

An agency forensic expert said on Wednesday he was certain the person died as a result of a fall.

It was the first time a Filipino investigator had disclosed findings that tended to support statements by Indonesian authorities that de Guzman fell from a helicopter on his way to the Busang gold mine site in Borneo on March 19.

Indonesian authorities said de Guzman, 41, jumped from the helicopter, leaving a suicide note saying he was suffering from a terminal illness.

A week after de Guzman's death, Bre-X said the gold find might be much smaller than it had initially announced.

Bre-X initially claimed that the gold deposit could contain up to 200 million ounces of gold worth US$77 billion, which would make it the richest gold find this century.

The company's American partner, Freeport-McMoRan Copper and Gold, later said there were "insignificant" amounts of gold at the site, leading to a sharp drop in the value of Bre-X stock.

De Guzman's family has expressed doubt that he committed suicide, saying a medical examination in February showed he was not seriously ill.

An Indonesian newspaper has claimed the body was not really de Guzman's, saying that dental records did not match.

But de Guzman's younger brother and family spokesman, Jojo, has said he was convinced the body sent to Manila was that of his brother.