RELATIVES of a woman who died due to illness had to put the coffin of their loved one in front of the gate of a subdivision in Barangay Guadalupe, Cebu City after they were refused entry on Monday evening, November 28, 2022.

Four hours

The group was able to enter through the gate after four hours of waiting only when the subdivision’s administrator negotiated with the guard on duty.

The relatives, who are living in Sitio Dakit, which is situated at the back of the subdivision, said the easiest and fastest way to get to their homes is through the gate of the subdivision.

The guard on duty said he did not allow the group to enter the subdivision as they arrived at 7 p.m., which is within the curfew hours of 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. of the following day that the village has been implementing for the past 20 years.

Armando Sacamay, nephew of the deceased, Joventina Sacamay, said his aunt died in the afternoon of November 28 after being bedridden due to physical disability.

He said the funeral parlor personnel were still able to get the body for the embalming procedure, but when they came back at 7 p.m. to bring the body back home, the security guard did not allow them in, so they decided to leave the coffin and the escorts behind.

The relatives asked the guard to allow them to pass as they could not afford to hold a vigil at the funeral parlor due to the lack of funds but their pleas fell on deaf ears.

They then decided to place the coffin in front of the gate, leaving only one side of the gate passable by cars.

Guadalupe barangay councilor Apple Enriquez and Guadalupe policemen headed by their chief, Major Armando Labora, also went to the area two hours later to help convince the guard, but the latter was still adamant for fear of losing his job.

The group was only able to pass through the gate at 11:08 p.m. when village administrator Ronald Sabenorio came all the way from Liloan town in northern Cebu to negotiate with the guard.

Only 10 persons who would carry the coffin to the sitio were allowed to enter.

Sabenorio explained in an interview with SunStar Cebu that the residents of Sitio Dakit, except those who are living in the subdivision, are not allowed to enter the area during curfew hours. (TPT)