The local government of Cagayan de Oro has beefed up security measures at the City Memorial Park after 30 tombs were robbed in separate incidents.

The suspects carted away steel bars from the tombs.

Authorities destroyed several tombs as part of the renovation at the City Memorial Park, but they discovered that the steel bars have been stolen, exposing the remains of the deceased that emitted a foul smell.

This prompted the City Local Environment and Natural Resources Office (CLENRO) to deploy security guards at the cemetery. 

“Naa nata’y tulo ka blue guard nga magbantay during night time kay ang krimen gakahitabo diha, gapangawat sa kabilya kana naman gabiuna muna naa ta’y gwardya karon gikan og hapon paingon sa alas 6 sa sunod nga adlaw,” CLENRO Chief, Engineer Armen Cuenca, said.

CLENRO said two people were charged with theft in 2023.

Most of the tombs that broken into have reportedly been abandoned by families of the deceased. 

“Gapanawagan mi sa mga pamilya sa mga dunay minahal sa kinabuhi nga ato gyud atimanon dili nata maghulat nga kawaton, dili nata maghulat nga ang city government na gyud ang mubungkag. Nanghinaot mi nga unta inyong adtuan aron maplastar,” Cuenca said.