Kin find loved ones' tombs occupied by others' remains in Barangka on All Saints'Day

Carmen Antenero was supposed to bring flowers to her late husband at the Barangka Public Cemetery in Marikina City, but she was shocked to see another name on her partner’s grave.

She found her partner’s tombstone lying somewhere on the ground.

“Alam mo naman lagi kita dinadalaw dito. Dinadalhan kita ng bulaklak kasi sabi mo tuwing dadalaw, dalhan kita ng bulaklak,” she said in frustration during Jun Veneracion’s report on “24 Oras” on Friday.

(You know very well that I always visit you here. I always make sure to bring you flowers, just as you requested.)

“Dalawa na nga lang kami ng anak mo dito, ganito pa maabutan namin, wala ka na. Ang sakit sa akin.”

(It’s sad to know that it’s just the two of us left, and yet we don’t even know where your remains are. It hurts so much.)

Beng Ponayo had a similar experience, as she has yet to find the remains of her parents.

“Nay, Tay, sana makita ko pa mga buto niyo para mailipat sa ibang nitso para may madalaw kami,” she said.

(Mom, Dad, I hope to find your remains so we can transfer them to another grave and have a place to visit you.)

Antenero and Ponayo are among several relatives who are complaining about the exhumation of their loved ones’ remains at the cemetery.

A long queue formed in front of the cemetery’s office, where people lined up to voice their grievances about the situation. The exhumation was reportedly carried out under an ordinance stating that remains could only stay in the cemetery for five years.

However, the Marikina City Hall clarified that a moratorium suspending the ordinance was in place, making the exhumation of the remains illegal.

“Parang sindikato talaga eh na nagbukas sila ng nitso tapos yung nitsyong nabubuksan, ino-offer nila for a fee,” said Mayor Marcy Teodoro.

(It seemed like the work of a syndicate; they opened the tombs and then offered them for a fee.)

Data from the city government showed that 63 bodies were exhumed and disposed of without consent from the cemetery.

Those who will be found responsible may face administrative charges for violating Presidential Decree 856, also known as the Sanitation Code of the Philippines. GMA Integrated News sought a comment from the management.

The challenge now lies in identifying the remains, which were placed inside bags without any details.

“Dapat ‘yan madaling ma-identify para naman mabawasan yung pain, yung agony ng lahat ng kamag-anak na naghahanap ng buto na ‘yan,” said Zara Jane Ballesteros, acting administrator of Barangka Public Cemetery.

(They should be easily identifiable to reduce the pain and agony of all the families searching for those remains.)

Additionally, the city government will hold a mass on Saturday for the bodies that were illegally exhumed. Free cremation is also being offered to the affected families. —Vince Ferreras/NB, GMA Integrated News