“Ano ang motibo n’yo sa pagbukas ng nitso? Pagnanakaw?” - Wife of late Aparri Vice Mayor Alameda slams desecration of tomb

Cagayan, Philippines – It is no longer just houses, business establishments, vehicles, or schools that thieves target — now, even tombs are being ransacked, and such was the case involving the grave of late Aparri Vice Mayor Rommel Alameda, which was reportedly hammered open on Thursday, May 21.

According to Isadel Alameda, sibling of the late official, in an interview with the Cagayan Provincial Information Office – TeleRadyo, the desecration of the slain vice mayor’s tomb occurred Thursday night after concerned residents heard hammering sounds coming from the cemetery where Alameda was laid to rest in 2023.

The residents immediately alerted barangay officials, who rushed to the area. However, the suspects had already fled before authorities arrived, and a portion of Alameda’s tomb had already been forcibly opened.

The Alameda family believes theft may have been the motive behind the incident, as some valuables inside the late official’s resting place were reportedly missing. The family is now offering a P10,000 reward to anyone who can provide information leading to the identification of those responsible.

Meanwhile, Alameda’s widow, Elizabeth, condemned the incident in a Facebook post on May 23, saying, “Ano ang motibo n’yo sa pagbukas ng nitso ni VM Rommel Alameda? Pagnanakaw? Ikakayaman n’yo ba kung may nakuha man kayo diyan?”

It can be recalled that Alameda was among the six individuals killed in an ambush in Bagabag on February 19, 2023. He served as a two-term vice mayor of Aparri.