Forty (40) cadavers that remained unclaimed at the city-contracted morgue were buried in a mass grave at the Talabaan public cemetery Thursday, October 5, following solemn rites presided by religious leaders.

Of the total 40 unclaimed remains, 33 were males and 7 females. Some of them were crime victims found in abandoned areas while others died of natural causes on streets or on public hospitals. No relatives or friends have come forward to claim the remains since they were entrusted to the morgue.

Pursuant to a City Ordinance, the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) takes charge of the mass burial activity every year. The city government shoulders expenses for embalming, storage and coffins.

Present during the burial rites were Executive Assistant Edna Sumergido, personnel from the CSWDO and City Health Office (CHO), City Accounting Office and National Bureau of Investigation and other agencies. (Bernadeth Lazaro/ CMO-PIO)