Cemetery admin accused of illegal exhumations in Marikina

Families in Marikina City expressed hurt and dismay after discovering that the remains of their loved ones were illegally exhumed at the Barangka Municipal Cemetery.

Affected families, including Marivic Bedico and Eddie Pelueta, said they were not informed about the unauthorized exhumations, leaving them surprised to find tombs either empty or marked with different names.

Marikina City Mayor Marcelino Teodoro stated that recent exhumations were conducted without permits from the City Health Office, violating guidelines, while families camped outside the cemetery's administrative office on Friday to raise concerns.

The city government has filed complaints against the cemetery administrator and others for improper handling of human remains and promised free cremation or transfer to an ossuary for affected families.

Marikina Mayor Marcelino Teodoro announced that the local government is prepared to offer free burial and cremation services for these remains, suspecting a syndicate may be behind the illegal exhumations.