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

[Lee]

Pretty heartless really.

Here locally, a story went out that the city's oldest cemetery was to be emptied out and the land sold to developers. Some of the graves have been there since the 1950s.

A panic ensued leaving families scrambling with what to do with their long deceased relatives. I could never verify this story as being true (I even went to City Hall and asked) as we have a few family members in that cemetery. Never could find out anything and the subject of the cemetery being cleared has drop by the wayside as of late.

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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.

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

(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.

(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.

(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.

(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

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

 

 

[graham59]

What ISN'T for sale in this country ? 

Just heartbreaking for the affected familes though. 

[Jack Peterson]

 This issue is happening all over the Country, many don't really know or check that Graves  in So many cemeteries are on lease 

[scott h]

4 minutes ago, Jack Peterson said:

So many cemeteries are on lease

Thats a fact. You don't renew your lease the remains are removed. Naturally that fact is not reported on or researched by the press. More sensational to blame the "corrupt" cemetery than the lazy relatives. 

[GeoffH]

Yes 5 year leases are the norm around here, in fact last year we contributed towards the families cost to extend the lease for her lolo.

I asked 'What happens if the payment isn't made?' and was told the remains would be removed from the wall space and re buried in a mass grave inside the cemetery.

 

 

Edited Saturday at 01:47 PM by GeoffH

[Possum]

Just now, GeoffH said:

Yes 5 year leases are the norm around here, in fact last year we contributed towards the families cost to extend the lease for her lolo.

Curious, how much is the lease for a grave?

 

[Mike J]

8 hours ago, Possum said:

Curious, how much is the lease for a grave?

 

In Moalboal I believe it is 5000 peso.  Picture may/may not be Moalboal but it looks just like this.  I will ask my wife what the family have done/will be doing at the end of five years for her family members.  The first time I saw all those concrete looking mini-bunkers broken open with coffin missing really freaked me out.  I thought a team of grave robbers was wreaking havoc.    Turned out some folks were just late paying the rent. 

[Lee]

20 minutes ago, Mike J said:

The first time I saw all those concrete looking mini-bunkers broken open with coffin missing really freaked me out. 

I wonder what becomes of the empty coffins. Perhaps they are refurbished and resold as new. Nothing would surprise me here.

In the early 70's a movie suggested a possible solution to this problem. It cost me 2 RC bottle caps to watch this movie in a matinee back then.

 

 

[craftbeerlover]

On 11/2/2024 at 6:22 AM, Lee said:

(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.

WTF

[craftbeerlover]

10 hours ago, GeoffH said:

Yes 5 year leases are the norm around here, in fact last year we contributed towards the families cost to extend the lease for her lolo.

I asked 'What happens if the payment isn't made?' and was told the remains would be removed from the wall space and re buried in a mass grave inside the cemetery.

what a fn country