Six months after Yolanda—the storm which struck last November 8 left 6,293 dead, 1,061 missing and about 4.1 million people displaced—Tacloban is slowly recovering.
But in the nearby municipalities of Tanauan and Palo, many dead bodies remain buried in makeshift graves that line the street.
These photos, taken by Bong Deiparine, were taken three weekends ago.
Rotundas have been turned into informal mass graves, and it’s the same in a Palo churchyard. And there’s no official statement from the local government if they are going to transfer the bodies or leave them where they are.
Should they be removed?
Jomar Indanan, a journalist who has been spearheading private efforts to help families in outlying areas get back on their feet, suggests they be turned into a memorial.
“It serves to remind people of those desperate times. And so that we don’t forget how ill-prepared we were for the disaster. And the graves are very poignant when you see them for yourself. It is better than any overpriced and baduy monument.”
Do you agree that we should turn these mass graves into a monument? Let us know in the comments below.
With reports from Imelda Magbutay/AFP
Photo by Bong Deiparine
