MANILA — The family of individuals whose remains were “illegally” exhumed at the Barangka Municipal Cemetery in Marikina City expressed hurt and dismay over the incident.

Teresita Militar brought candles and flowers as she visited the remains of her departed brother-in-law at the Barangka Municipal Cemetery on All Saints’ Day. It has been over five years since he passed. To her surprise, his gravestone was missing and the ossuary appeared to have a new occupant.

“Masakit sa akin, kasi tulad niyan, tiningnan ko pa, wala. Iba na ang nakasalang. Iba na ang nakalagay…Kaya sabi ko sa nagbabantay, bakit ganoon? Dapat inabiso mo sa akin. Tutal magkapit-bahay lang naman kami dyan. Nalaman ko wala na…Sana maibalik ‘yung buto sa amin,” she said.

Rowena Corpuz was also dismayed after learning that the remains of her departed brother suffered the same fate. While it has been past the maximum five-year rental period, Corpuz said families should be informed of the exhumation.

“Pag-akyat ko, sabi… wala na doon. Tapos ‘yung lapida ng kapatid ko nandyan na sa lapag. Tapos may nakalibing na po doon na iba…Masakit, kasi basta-basta nalang nila hinukay. Kung saan-saan nila nilagay, hindi namin alam. Siyempre kapatid namin ‘yun eh,” she explained.

They were among the dozens who lined up at the office of the cemetery’s management on November 1 to look for the remains of their loved one.

“Ibig sabihin hindi namin makikita ngayon?” Corpuz asked.

“Malungkot man sabihin, ang simpatiya namin, hindi natin siya makikita. Pero nandito kami para hanapin siya… Inuumpisahan na po ang paglo-locate, pag-identify,” Barangka Municipal Cemetery’s acting administrator Zara Jane Ballesteros replied.

Outside the office, a notice was posted citing a 2010 ordinance, which provides that the rental of lot or vault at the public cemetery shall be for a period of 5 years. One month after this period expires, if the remains are not removed by the immediate family, it shall be compulsory transferred to the cemetery ossuary.

But according to the Marikina City Government, the recent exhumation of remains did not undergo proper procedures. Marikina City Mayor Marcelino Teodoro says these were done without permit from the City Health Office-Sanitation Section, and were not buried in accordance with the guidelines.

“Hindi awtorisado ‘yung paghukay na ginawa. Una, walang permit mula sa City Health Office. Dapat pagka-tanggal doon sa pinag-alisan na nitso, inilipat kaagad sa isang ossuary, at naka-seal ito, at identified nang tama. Parang isang sindikato ang gumawa nito kung saan ‘yung mga nababakante na nitso ay ibinebenta, may modus,” he told Teleradyo Serbisyo.

The Marikina LGU has filed complaints against the administrator of the Barangka Municipal Cemetery and five others over alleged improper handling of human remains.

The new management, meanwhile, assured the families that the tagging of exhumed remains is ongoing, and that they will be informed as soon as the process is completed.

The LGU is offering free cremation should the family opt to have the remains cremated, and also vowed to assist them in transferring the affected remains to an ossuary or a columbarium.

“Pwede niyo siyang ipa-cremate at ilagay sa kolumbaryo. ‘Yung cremation libre po yun, care of ni Mayor, kung gusto niyo po. Kung ‘yan ay ilalagay sa ossuary, it will be established… Itatayo pa lang ‘yun,” Ballesteros said.