Maskless minors gather, play games at Baclaran fiesta

Several minors were caught on video playing games without face masks during a fiesta in Baclaran.

According to Raffy Tima's report on "24 Oras" on Tuesday, the video was taken on Sunday.

Based on the video, the minors were seen licking each others' faces, while some of those watching were not wearing face masks and not observing social distancing.

Barangay Baclaran Captain Jun Zaide said they had not received any reports regarding the matter.

"Umikot po ang barangay. Nagbigay po ng mensahe na wala pong magaganap na any mass gathering," Zaide said.

(Barangay officials went around. Everyone was told that there would be no mass gatherings.)

He said the uploader of the video told him the game the kids were playing was not related to the fiesta, but was just the kids' idea.

"Kinuhang pagkakataon ng mga bata noong umalis po kami habang nag-iikot po kami noong araw ng piyesta, kinuha nila ang pagkakataon na maglaro," Zaide said.

(The kids, after we had left, seized the opportunity to mess about.)

"So doon pa lang, siguro pagkakamali na rin siguro ng mga magulang. May kapabayaan ang mga magulang so kami po ay gagawa ng aksyon," he added.

(The parents may have let things get out of hand. We'll do something to keep this from happening again.)

Zaide said they were preparing to file a report with the district office regarding the matter.

He also ordered barangay officials to strictly implement minimum health standards amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Philippine National Police chief General Guillermo Eleazar already ordered the Southern Police District to investigate a fiesta in Baclaran.

Earlier, President Rodrigo Duterte ordered local government units to implement measures against mass gatherings during fiestas. — Ma. Angelica Garcia/DVM, GMA News