ILOILO City – Gambling during wakes in the province are prohibited, Police Colonel Gilbert Gorero, Iloilo Police Provincial Office (IPPO) director, reiterated yesterday.
“Gambling during wakes…increases the risk of people contracting coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19),” Gorero said.
He received a report that a barangay road in Barangay Buntatala, Leganes, Iloilo was occupied by chairs, tables and people attending a wake.
Some residents complained that their access to the road has been impeded.
“Bisan indi highway ang dalan pero madamo nga residente ang naga-agi. Indi gid pwede magbutang sang wake, especially when you put more than one table,” said Gorero.
Traditionally, crowds of mourners gather in overnight vigils before burying the remains of departed loved ones – with gambling as pastime. It keeps people around and awake at the vigil.
The most popular games in wakes are mahjong and card games.
But the situation now is different, Gorero pointed out.
“Mahjong kag card games dira pa ang tawo makakuha sang virus kay damo maka-uyat sang baraha. Then wala pa social distancing. Some are not wearing facemasks – a clear violation of public health protocols,” said the IPPO chief.
As of Nov. 2, Iloilo province had a total of 2,096 COVID-19 cases, 512 of which are active, 1,526 recovered and 58 died./PN
