6 charged over Marikina cemetery exhumations

MANILA, Philippines — Criminal charges have been filed against the administrator and five other personnel of the Barangka public cemetery in Marikina over the unauthorized exhumation of human remains.

Mayor Marcelino Teodoro ordered the filing of complaints before the Marikina prosecutor’s office against Renato Beltran, Ian Lester Beltran, Irish Santos, Rowell Ogayon, Pablo Papa and a certain Solayao for allegedly violating Presidential Decree 856 or the Code on Sanitation of the Philippines.

Administrative complaints for grave neglect in the performance of duty were also filed against the six, Teodoro said.

“They will be held liable for criminal and administrative cases,” he said.

Teodoro said he ordered the filing of cases after 800 sacks of human remains were found to have been illegally exhumed at the Barangka cemetery during inspection on Wednesday.

The human skeletons were left unclaimed at an open space in the cemetery.

Criminal charges have been filed against the administrator and five other personnel of the Barangka public cemetery in Marikina over the unauthorized exhumation of human remains.

Mayor Marcelino Teodoro ordered the filing of complaints before the Marikina prosecutor’s office against Renato Beltran, Ian Lester Beltran, Irish Santos, Rowell Ogayon, Pablo Papa and a certain Solayao for allegedly violating Presidential Decree 856 or the Code on Sanitation of the Philippines.

Administrative complaints for grave neglect in the performance of duty were also filed against the six, Teodoro said.

“They will be held liable for criminal and administrative cases,” he said.

Teodoro said he ordered the filing of cases after 800 sacks of human remains were found to have been illegally exhumed at the Barangka cemetery during inspection on Wednesday.

The human skeletons were left unclaimed at an open space in the cemetery.

Teodoro said personnel of the cemetery were involved in a scheme of selling emptied tombs at exorbitant prices.

From the usual cash donation of P1,000 to P2,000, Teodoro said the suspects would demand P20,000 for burial costs.

“They are selling the tombs after being emptied. Kaya isang sindikato nga ito, hindi ito ordinaryong galawan ng isa o dalawang tao,” he said.

Meanwhile, Teodoro said measures are in place to ensure safe and orderly observance of Undas.

He directed local government departments to implement security measures and traffic rerouting in anticipation of the expected surge of cemetery-goers.

Traffic along selected roads was rerouted to ease congestion, Teodoro said.

He reminded people who will visit their dead not to bring alcoholic beverages, gambling paraphernalia, sharp objects, firearms and other prohibited items.

“Please follow these guidelines to ensure peace and order in honoring our departed loved ones,” Teodoro said.