Skull found sticking out of tomb at Manila North Cemetery during Undas

• A human skull was spotted protruding from a small tomb at Manila North Cemetery during the Undas observance
• Cemetery officials suspect that the incident may have been deliberate, possibly involving individuals whose unauthorized stairway operations were recently stopped
• Manila North Cemetery Director Daniel Tan ordered an investigation into the unusual discovery
• The Manila Police District recorded an estimated 93,000 visitors at the cemetery by 5 p.m., below the management's expected 500,000

The discovery of a human skull protruding from a tomb at Manila North Cemetery prompted an investigation by cemetery officials during the Undas observance, raising concerns about the possible deliberate disturbance of a burial site.

The unusual sight was reported on Saturday in a 24 Oras Weekend segment by GMA News reporter Jonathan Andal. The small tomb was located near the cemetery's perimeter fence along A. Bonifacio Avenue. It had no tombstone or identifying name, while the skull was visibly sticking out through an opening.

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Manila North Cemetery Director Daniel Tan expressed disbelief over what happened, saying the condition of the remains appeared to be intentional rather than the result of an accidental disturbance.

Tan suspected that individuals previously prevented from operating unauthorized stairways near the cemetery fence could be responsible. These makeshift structures reportedly allowed people to cross the perimeter in exchange for payment.

“Sinadya siguro. Siyempre, nawalan sila ng hanapbuhay. Umaakyat sila doon sa hagdanan. Talagang imposibleng mangyari, nakalawit eh. Puwede nabuksan, natapakan, na-ano, o kaya, nabasag. Pero ‘yan nakalawit talaga, talagang sinadya ‘yan. Nagulat nga ako na nangyari ‘yan,” said Tan.

Following the discovery, cemetery management decided to return the skull to its proper place inside the tomb and have the opening sealed to prevent further disturbance.

Meanwhile, visitor numbers at the cemetery remained lower than anticipated despite the influx of people observing Undas.

By 5 p.m. on Saturday, the Manila Police District placed the crowd estimate at 93,000 visitors. The figure was considerably below the half-million people that cemetery officials had expected to visit the burial grounds for the annual commemoration.

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The incident also drew attention to the need to protect burial sites and maintain order within cemetery premises during one of the busiest periods of the year.

In another report, a man was injured after being attacked by seven to 10 individuals at the Plaza of Dueñas in Iloilo. Video footage showed several men surrounding the victim and repeatedly kicking him. Based on the police's initial investigation, the man had gone to the plaza to confront someone he suspected of hurting his sibling.

Meanwhile, a man lost his life after being shot outside a school in Barangay Prinza, Teresa, Rizal, on Thursday afternoon. According to GMA News' Unang Balita, the victim sustained a gunshot wound to the head at around 4 p.m., after which the suspect escaped. A video that circulated online captured the victim lying on the ground as his live-in partner stayed by his side while holding their infant child. Following the incident, police launched a manhunt to locate and apprehend the gunman.

Source: KAMI.com.gh