Manila, April 22 -- President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has signed into law a measure requiring the proper and immediate burial of Muslim cadavers, in accordance with Islamic rites.

The burial of Muslim cadavers should be performed as soon as possible, with or without a certificate of death, according to Republic Act (RA) 12160 inked by Marcos on April 11.

"It is the policy of the State to recognize and respect the right of Filipino Muslims to bury their dead, in accordance with their religious customs and beliefs, particularly burying their dead before the next call to prayer," RA 12160 reads.

"Towards this end, the State shall require that proper and immediate burial of the bodies of then dead Muslims must be observed, in accordance wi...