Marcos signs law on immediate, appropriate burial for Muslims

MANILA, Philippines — President Marcos has signed into law Republic Act No. 12160, or the Philippine Islamic Burial Act, which recognizes the rights of Filipino Muslims to immediately bury their dead following their Islamic beliefs.

Under RA 12160, which was signed on April 11, a Muslim burial should be performed as soon as possible with or without a death certificate, and in accordance with Islamic rites.

The death should be reported by the person who performed the burial rites or by the next of kin of the deceased within 14 days after the burial to the local health officer, who will be tasked to prepare the death certificate and certify the cause of death.

If there is no authorized health officer or authorized representative, the death should be reported to the office of the mayor, who will prepare the death certificate and certify the cause of death if there is no need for a forensic examination of the remains.

READ: Manila’s first Muslim cemetery: Isko Moreno’s legacy

If there is a need for a forensic examination, the family should be informed before an autopsy is conducted by law enforcement authorities.

The death certificate should be forwarded within the next 30 days to the local civil registrar.

The law also requires hospitals, medical clinics, funeral parlors, morgues, custodial or prison facilities, etc., to release Muslim cadavers for burial within 24 hours.

The nonpayment of hospital bills, medical expenses, professional fees, the cost of wrapping, and other charges should not be used to withhold the release of the cadaver. But the family or concerned party may execute a promissory note for the unpaid obligation or any other existing payment scheme.

RA 12160 also prescribes the proper wrapping of the cadaver: white cloth and in an airtight, leak-proof cadaver bag or cadaver wooden box. This should be zipped or closed with tape or bandages.