Several Families Complain over Exhumation of Loved Ones in Barangka Cemetery in Marikina
Families of the deceased buried in Barangka Public Cemetery in Marikina City were shocked as their loved ones’ tombs were occupied by others’ remains.
Many Filipinos see to it that they get to visit the tombs and graves of their deceased loved ones every All Saints’ Day or All Souls’ Day celebration. November 1 and 2 are part of the Philippine holidays this 2024 and every year to give the people chance to go to cemeteries.
In most cases, Filipino families gather in the tombs and graves of their deceased loved ones on the last days of October or the first days of November to offer prayers and light a candle. Many people also bring flowers for their loved ones who have crossed the eternal life.
A lot of people take high regard in this popular Filipino tradition during All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day celebration. It is also an opportunity to commemorate the fond memories with the deceased family members and friends.
However, in the case of some families who buried their loved ones in Barangka Public Cemetery in Marikina City, they were not able to gather around the tomb of their deceased loved ones. Many kin of the deceased buried in Barangka Public Cemetery were shocked to find that others’ remains were buried on the tombs where their late loved ones’ were buried.
Based on a report on GMA News Online, Carmen Antenero was supposed to bring flowers for her late husband but she found her partner’s tombstone lying somewhere in the ground at the Barangka Public Cemetery in Marikina City.
According to Carmen, her late husband wanted her to always bring flowers whenever she would visit his tomb but, now, she could not anymore find the remains of her husband. She and their child were left behind after the death of her husband.
“Dalawa na nga lang kami ng anak mo dito, ganito pa maabutan namin, wala ka na. Ang sakit sa akin,” Carmen said.
Another person, Beng Penayo, has a similar experience with Carmen and they are just some of the many families who are now complaining over the exhumation of the remains of their deceased loved ones. According to Beng, she hopes that they can find the remains of her parents.
“Nay, Tay, sana makita ko pa mga buto niyo para mailipat sa ibang nitso para may madalaw kami,” Beng said.
Based on the report, the exhumation was done amid an ordinance stating that the remains of the deceased are only allowed to stay in the cemetery for five (5) years. Based on the data from the city government, 63 remains were exhumed and there is a challenge in identifying the remains as they were placed in body bags without details.
Amid the complaints, the Marikina City Hall claimed that there is a moratorium that suspended the ordinance regarding the stay of the remains at the Barangka Public Cemetery. Marikina Mayor Marcy Teodoro believe that there were people who exhumed the remains to offer the tombs for a fee to other people.
Based on the report, the Marikina City Government is set to hold a mass on Saturday for the remains of those deceased who were “illegally exhumed”. Families of these deceased lined up in front of the cemetery’s office to complain.