E-bingo shop spotted operating in Pasig, ordered closed

Updated @ 12:43 a.m., Aug. 4, 2020

MANILA, Philippines — An electronic bingo (e-bingo) outlet in Pasig City was caught operating despite the current general community quarantine (GCQ) and was ordered closed, Mayor Vico Sotto said on Monday.

According to Sotto’s post on his Facebook account, the e-bingo outlet in the unspecified area in the city even had safety reminders outside its premises to prevent coronavirus transmissions.

“CLOSED. E-bingo na nagbukas habang GCQ. Alam naman nilang bawal. Langya may pa safety reminders pa sa entrance,” he said.

[CLOSED. E-bingo that opened during GCQ. They knew it was prohibited. They even had safety reminders at the entrance.]

Photos shared by Sotto show at least six individuals wearing face masks were at the site just moments before the e-bingo was ordered closed down.

https://www.facebook.com/VicoSotto/posts/3288966567828665

According to the Pasig City Public Information Office (PIO), the mini-casino’s business license was temporarily suspended for seven days after the incident.

However, it would not be able to operate after its seven-day suspension as the modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) over Metro Manila and other provinces would be imposed from Aug.  4 to 18.

The Pasig PIO said such gaming centers could only resume operations under a modified general community quarantine — the lowest quarantine level.

Last April 28, presidential spokesperson Harry Roque reminded the public that gambling — like betting on cockfights and casinos — were prohibited during quarantine.

Pasig, along with the rest of Metro Manila and the provinces of Bulacan, Rizal, Cavite, and Laguna,  will be under a modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) from Aug. 4 to 18, as President Rodrigo Duterte announced on Sunday, after repeated requests by medical frontliners.

/atm