ILOILO — The family of Frank Rois Barbasa has commissioned a second autopsy on the charred remains discovered in Barangay Ungka I, Pavia town on April 29. The move underscores the family’s growing suspicions regarding the initial investigation and their determination to find clarity in the student’s tragic death.
The secondary autopsy was performed yesterday morning, May 4, by Dr. Owen Lebaquin. Although formal DNA results are still pending, Lebaquin confirmed the identity of the remains based on a significant “old injury” on the left arm — a surgical site that matches Barbasa’s medical history. An ID belonging to Barbasa was also previously recovered 50 to 60 meters from the scene.
Despite this confirmation, the family remains unconvinced and contends that the evidence presented thus far does not support the conclusion that the 22-year-old Barbasa of Barangay Punta Tabuc, Roxas City, Capiz died by self-immolation.
Meanwhile, during the second autopsy, the victim’s skull, trachea, and lungs were subjected to histopathological examination to check for signs of traumatic injury or hematoma. It may take up to one month before the results are released.
An initial autopsy conducted by Dr. Martin Joe Fuentes revealed a harrowing scene. Evidence indicated that Barbasa was alive while engulfed in flames, as he had inhaled gas and appeared to have been biting his tongue during the fire.
While the initial findings attributed the cause of death to “severe burns” and found no signs of struggle — leading Police Captain Ritz Field Presquito, chief of the Pavia Municipal Police Station (MPS), to assert there was “no foul play” — the family points to troubling evidence found on Barbasa’s cellphone. The device contained an emotional video clip of the victim at the location and a search history inquiring about gasoline quantities and which types of clothing would catch fire quickly.
The Pavia MPS stated they were not informed of the family’s decision to conduct a secondary autopsy. Presquito noted that the family did not coordinate with his office, adding that the police had no authority over the selection of the second forensic doctor since the initial autopsy was already completed. However, police confirmed that results from the first autopsy will remain part of the official investigation.
NBI involvement
According to reports from Radyo Maragtas based in Roxas City, Capiz, the family intends to enlist the help of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Region 6, believing local efforts have been insufficient. The family recently met with NBI Regional Director Jeremiah Sargado to discuss their next steps./PN
