Lack of clearance hampers burial before sundown for Kiram

The lack of a clearance hampered the prospect of a burial for the late Sulu Sultan Jamalul Kiram III before sunset on Sunday.

Until Sunday afternoon, there was no clearance allowing the transport of Kiram's remains by air from Manila to Jolo, radio dzBB's Divine Caraecle reported.

Kiram's family is now exploring other means to have Kiram's body buried in Sulu within 24 hours after his death in accordance with Muslim tradition, the report said.

Kiram's daughter Jacel said he died at about 4 a.m. Sunday.

Earlier Sunday, Kiram's remains were brought to his residence in Taguig City and then to the Blue Mosque.

Kiram's followers had engaged Malaysian forces in a standoff and in deadly clashes in Sabah earlier this year.

Sultanate spokesman Abraham Idjirani said Sunday that Kiram's ordered his followers to continue efforts to "repossess" Sabah for the Filipino people.

Meanwhile, former and incumbent officials went to pay their respects to the sultan Sunday.

Among them was Ilocos Norte Rep. and former First Lady Imelda Marcos, the report said. — BM, GMA News