Missing activists' kin fail to identify remains
Missing activists' kin fail to identify remains
JAKARTA (JP): Relatives of five missing political activists
flocked to the morgue of Cipto Mangunkusumo General Hospital
yesterday, but left convinced none of the three decomposed bodies
found in the Thousands Islands recently were their loved ones.
"I was sure from the beginning that none of the remains were
my son's," said Mrs. Siahaan, mother of missing activist Ucok
Munandar Siahaan, after examining the male remains in the Central
Jakarta hospital's autopsy room.
Forensic expert Herkutanto, who heads the team examining the
remains, had warned the group to refrain from touching the
bodies, clothes or personal items laid next to them.
But Mrs. Siahaan laid her hands gently on the clothing.
"I touched them but I did not feel any sensation between me
and the clothes. I knew they must not be him," she told The
Jakarta Post.
Similar doubts were expressed by relatives of Noval Alkatiri,
Yidin Muhidin, Herman Hendrawan and Hendra Hambalie.
Nurhasanah smiled broadly and insisted her son Yidin was not
among the corpses.
"He never had underwear and a T-shirt like that," she said,
pointing to the torn clothes on display near the remains.
Epo, Herman's brother, said one of the bodies almost matched
his brother's physical type.
Ultimately, he was convinced it was not Herman, who was
mistakenly sighted in the Philippines last week.
Feeling
"I have this feeling that it's not him," he said.
Erie Alkatiri said none of the corpses' teeth matched those of
her brother Noval.
"He has small and discolored teeth. He liked to smoke. But his
teeth were even."
The families said they lived in emotional limbo since the
disappearances.
"I always follow every news item on the finding of human
remains," Mrs. Siahaan said.
"But so far, I have been sure none of them was my son's."
The remains were exhumed Tuesday from a makeshift grave in the
island group off the Jakarta Bay.
Pieces of clothes wrapped parts of the remains, reportedly
discovered by locals on May 17. The tattered garments included
pants, underwear and T-shirts.
Also found in the grave were two wallets, one of them
containing a name card, three wristwatches, a small harmonica and
toys.
The five activists are among at least 12 male political
activists reported missing since April last year.
Nine others have already resurfaced, and related harrowing
tales of their abduction and torture by members of the military.
Ucok, Yidin and Hendra were reported missing on May 14, when
massive rioting blanketed the capital.
Forensic expert Budi Sampurna, a senior member of the team,
said the blood types of the bodies would be revealed next week.
Families of the missing activists had submitted photos, vital
statistics and distinguishing marks.
"But we still need the information of their dental order, if
available," he said. (ivy)