The Marikina City Health Office (CHO) will be taking over the operations on the illegally exhumed remains at the Barangka Public Cemetery, City Mayor Marcelino “Marcy” Teodoro confirmed to DZRH News on Friday, November 1.
In a text message to RH Edniel Parrosa, the city Mayor said that the CHO will be managing the operations for two to three months. The decision came after the local government unit (LGU) charged the cemetery administrator and four others, for the unauthorized exhumation of the remains at the public cemetery.
Earlier reports said that several remains were found to have been illegally unearthed at the said cemetery, days before All Saints’ Day. Personnel from the CHO found them piled up in a corner.
According to the CHO, around 65 or more bodies were dug up, and improperly handled. It also breached sanitation guidelines and disrespected the deceased, the health office furthered.
Due to this, the local government filed a complaint against the personnel of the public cemetery.
Teodoro announced that they are reaching the affected and concerned families. Additionally, a mass hosted by the LGU will also be held at the Barangka Public Cemetery on Saturday, November 2, to pay respect to the exhumed remains.
Meanwhile, other accounts claimed that concerned families were notified a month before the exhumation. However, others claimed that they were not informed at all, adding that they only learnt about the incident after someone publicized the incident.
No updates were given on the families' sides, as the LGU is still in the process of getting in touch with them. There is a possibility, however, for collective action against those accountable for the act to ensue once things have been finalized.
