Marikina exhumes 800 sacks of remains ahead of Undas

Barangka Public Cemetery in Marikina has exhumed 800 sacks of human remains that have exceeded the five-year 'rental period' set by local government regulations.

Under Marikina City Ordinance No. 020, series of 2010, burials are subject to a mandatory removal after five years if not claimed by family members; however, dozens of remains were illegally exhumed days before the Undas holiday.

The cemetery's limited capacity and ongoing renovations necessitate this policy to ensure space for future burials, but recent incidents have raised concerns about unauthorized exhumations.

Marikina City Mayor Marcy Teodoro condemned these actions as violations of sanitation codes and ordered an investigation into possible syndicates involved in selling burial spaces illegally.

As of August 2024, about 100 sacks have been claimed by family members, while officials anticipate more claims during the Undas holiday on November 1 and 2.