Marikina has offered to cremate the remains which had been illegally exhumed at the Barangka Public Cemetery only days prior All Saints’ Day.
The remains of at least 65 persons were placed in plastic bags, RH 52 Edniel Parrosa reported on Dos Por Dos. The Marikina Health Office found these in a heap at a corner of the cemetery.
Marikina Mayor Marcelino “Marcy” Teodoro said his office has reached out to the families of the deceased.
“Kinokontak natin ngayon ang mga pamilya na may mga labi na natagpuan nitong nakaraang araw, na nakalagay ngayon sa isang temporary holding facility,” he said in a press release on Friday.
(We are now contacting the families whose loved ones’ remains have been found just this past day, and which have been put in a temporary holding facility.)
“Libre ito ‘yung cremation kung nanaisin ng mga pamilya na mako-contact at tinatawagan natin ngayon,” he added.
(The cremation is free, should the families we are able to contact want it.)
Families affected by this incident may also get in touch with the Barangka Public Cemetery’s new management or the Marikina Health Office.
On Wednesday evening, Teodoro expressed his intentions to file charges against those responsible.
“Lubos na siniseryoso ng Pamahalaang Lungsod ng Marikina ang isyung ito titiyaking masasampahan ng kaukulang kaso ang mga indibidwal na responsable dito,” he announced in a statement.
(This issue is being taken very seriously by the Marikina City government and will ensure that appropriate charges are filed against the individuals responsible for this.)
The case was filed before the Marikina City Prosecutor’s Office against cemetery personnel who had allegedly colluded with private individuals and carried out the unauthorized exhumations.
The complaint cited the acts’ violation of the Philippine Sanitation Code, or Presidential Decree 856, and its Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR)—section 5 in particular, which prohibits exhumation without a permit.
“Sinisiguro ng Marikina City Government sa tuwina ay nabibigyang dangal at respeto ang bawat indibidwal, buhay man o yumao na,” Teodoro said.
