VISITORS to Bolonsiri Cemetery in Barangay Camaman-an, the final resting place for around 300 unidentified victims of Typhoon Sendong, were disturbed by the deteriorating state of the burial site, which has left relatives of the deceased calling for action.
Shian Betonio Galanida, a local resident, shared his dismay on social media after discovering desecrated graves, damaged headstones, and parts of mausoleums stripped of metal.
“It’s horrifying to see the graves dismantled just for metal,” said Galanida, who recorded and posted a video of the site.
Residents like Alex Magtrayo have also voiced concerns about tightening restrictions at the cemetery, citing new rules that limit visiting hours.
“It’s not like before when we could visit early in the morning,” said Magtrayo, a resident of Barangay Bonbon.
During the City Council’s 100th regular session in late October, Councilor James Judith highlighted a separate issue: the unmarked graves of Sendong victims buried in a mass grave at the City Memorial Park. He said families are troubled by dreams of the deceased, which they interpret as pleas for a proper burial.
The state of the cemetery has prompted calls for better maintenance and oversight to honor the memories of those lost and ensure a dignified resting place for all.
