PHILIPPINE President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr., has signed into law a measure that allows the proper and timely burial of dead Muslims according to their traditions.
Republic Act 12160, “An Act Requiring the Proper and Immediate Burial of Muslim Cadavers in Accordance with the Islamic Rites,” was signed on April 11 and posted on the Official Gazette’s website late Monday.
The law mandates that Muslim burial rites be conducted as soon as possible, even in the absence of a death certificate.
The next of kin or the person who performed the burial rites must report the death within 14 days to the local health officer, who will then issue the death certificate and determine the cause of death.
In the absence of immediate family members, the death will be reported to the Office of the Mayor who will issue a death certificate and will certify the cause of death.
“For burial purposes, in accordance with Islamic rites, Muslim cadavers shall be released within 24 hours by the hospital, medical clinic, funeral parlor, morgue, custodial and prison facilities, or other similar facilities, or persons who are in actual care or custody of the cadaver,” the law states.
It added that the dead body is required to be wrapped in white cloth and placed in an airtight, leak-proof bag or wooden box. It should be sealed with zippers, tape, or bandage strips.
Those who refuse to release a Muslim body due to non-payment of hospital bills, medical expenses, professional fees, cost of wrapping, or any other charges may face up to six months of jail time, a fine of P50,000 to P100,000, or both. The family of the deceased may be allowed to sign a promissory note instead.
The law also orders the Department of Health and the National Commission for Muslim Filipinos to “promulgate the necessary rules and regulations for the effective implementation of this Act” within 120 days of effectivity. — Adrian H. Halili
