Over 200 bones, remains laid to rest in Manila North Cemetery

MANILA, Philippines — More than 200 sets of bones and skulls scattered inside and outside the premises of the Manila North Cemetery were laid to rest in a mass graving ceremony held Tuesday.

The remains of the unidentified deceased were buried at the main circle of Manila North Cemetery. Parish priest of Sa Jose de Manggagawa de Manuguitang, Artemio “Tem” Fabros, blessed the remains before they were laid to rest.

Roselle Castañeda, Manila North Cemetery officer-in-charge said, the administration of the cemetery “has no record and tracking of movement of the recovered bones, hence the same cannot be properly identified.”

She recommended putting the recovered bones in a mass grave early August due to the inability to identify them.

Manila Health Department chief Dr. Arnold Pangan also issued a memorandum that the recovered remains cannot be identified and traced.

Castañeda earlier said the remains were found in various areas such as apartment, roof and sidewalks of houses.

Manila Public Information chief Julius Leonen said there was no explanation as to why the remains were scattered.

The Manila North Cemetery officer-in-charge said mass graving is just apt to give them respect and dignity.  —Rosette Adel