MANILA, Philippines — For disregarding Muslim traditions and the guidance of health experts in the management of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) fatalities, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Thursday said it will be issuing a show-cause order against the mayor of Montalban, Rizal.
“We are displeased with the disregard of the town mayor of Islamic traditions and I have already ordered our legal office to issue the show cause order to the Mayor of Montalban, Rizal,” Interior Secretary Eduardo Año said in a statement.
Año said Montalban Mayor Dennis “Tom” Hernandez reportedly refused to sign burial permits for two deceased COVID-19 who belong to the Muslim faith.
“Limitado ang Muslim cemeteries dito sa Metro Manila. Huwag na po sana nating dagdagan pa ang pighati ng mga namatayan na nagnanais lamang na maayos na mailagak sa huling hantungan ang kanilang namatay na mahal sa buhay,” Año said.
(There is a limited number of Muslim cemeteries here in Metro Manila. Do not add more burden to families who would only want their departed loved ones to have a proper burial.)
Año also noted that the bodies were buried in a Muslim cemetery in Norzagaray, Bulacan. However, the first deceased patient was buried two days after his death, Año added.
Año said the Islamic faith dictates that the deceased Muslims should be buried within 24 hours.
The Ulama Council of Zamboanga Peninsula also allowed “ritual bathing of the body in accordance with Muslim rites” if the health authorities guarantee that it will be safe.
According to the Department of Health, the burial of COVID-19 fatalities must be done within 12 hours, with cremation as the preferred method, but “to the most possible extent, be in accordance with the person’s religion or customs.”
In its interim guidance on March 24, the World Health Organization ordered the safe management of the burial of a COVID-19 patient but should also give dignity to the dead, with respect to cultural and religious traditions.
INQUIRER.net has sought the comment of Mayor Hernandez regarding the allegation. He has yet to reply as of this story’s posting.