Unclaimed bodies of civilians killed in Marawi to be buried in Iligan

Fire rages at several houses following airstrikes on May 27, 2017 by Philippine Air Force fighters to retake control of Marawi City from Muslim militants who had been laying siege on the city since May 23, 2017. (AP FILE PHOTO/ BULLIT MARQUEZ )

ILIGAN CITY – Eleven unclaimed bodies of civilians who were killed in Marawi City will be buried here on Thursday (June 15)

A total of 20 bodies have been brought to the Capin Funeral Homes here since May 23, when fighting between government forces and Islamic State-inspired terrorists broke out. Of the total number, 11 remained unclaimed by relatives.

Danilo Capin, owner of the funeral homes, said the unclaimed bodies included four women and a girl.

The bodies will be buried  in the Dalipuga Cemetery, according to Capin.

The police’s scene of the crime operatives from Manila have already taken DNA samples from the cadavers.

Capin said all the bodies were at the decomposing stage and were beyond recognition.

The government’s Crisis Management Committee will shoulder the burial expenses.

Jose Pantoja, the city information officer of Iligan, said the bodies would be buried separately.  SFM