Remains of dead Ilocos Sur councilor desecrated

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines – It’s not enough of a mystery that Alexander Antolin, a barangay captain in Narvacan, Ilocos Sur, won as a municipal councilor even if he died a few weeks before the elections.

On May 31, his family also learned that Antolin’s tomb at the Narvacan Cemetery in Barangay San Antonio was smashed with a hammer and the coffin brought out upright and opened.

Seven other tombs were also destroyed and ransacked.

Antolin, the barangay captain of Quinarayan, ran under Chavit Singson’s Team Bileg but he died a few weeks before the May 13 elections. He still managed to snatch the 8th spot. 

His wife, who is expected to replace Antolin as councilor, is currently distraught over what happened to her husband’s body. Antolin was even given a pair of sunglasses by the suspect.

Narvacan police said they were able to arrest a minor who they said was responsible for the heist.

Narvacan Police Chief Major Rogelio Miedes said that they got from the suspect Antolin’s jacket and wallet – placed on the side of the coffin as per the Ilocano superstition – as well as the hammer.

But according to Miedes, the suspect’s family told him that the suspect has mental health problems. Miedes said the police will coordinate with the municipal social welfare and development office. – Rappler.com