Tuguegarao pastor nabbed for holding Easter mass

TUGUEGARAO CITY, Cagayan, Philippines — A pastor and his followers including barangay officials were arrested for breaching the enhanced community quarantine to prevent the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) after they held Easter mass in their chapel in Barangay San Antonio, Enrile, Cagayan.

Enrile town police chief Maj. Lorvinn Layugan said residents reported to the police the mass held at the Presbyterian Church at around 10:30 a.m. on Sunday.

Responding policemen arrested Pastor Victor Mangoma, 33, of Barangay Bagay, Tuguegarao City and his followers including village councilor Melanie de Guzman, 37, and barangay secretary Rodrigo Aguirre, 42.

The government has prohibited the holding of mass and other religious gatherings to avoid the risk of spreading COVID-19 since the community quarantine was enforced in the whole of Luzon.

Last April 5, another pastor in Cagayan de Oro City was arrested after he conducted church service, which was attended by at least 500 church members who violated the ban on mass gatherings during the quarantine period.

Police identified the erring pastor as Alfred Caslam, founder of Word of God Spirit and Life Ministries Inc. with headquarters at Capistrano St., Cagayan de Oro City.

Capt. Sebastian Chua, chief of the Divisoria police station, said there were at least 500 church members who attended the service, including children, senior citizens and persons with disability.

He said Caslam violated Republic Act 13332 that requires persons to cooperate with authorities in the event of notifiable diseases or health events of public concern.

Violation of RA 13332 is punishable by one to six months and fine not exceeding P50,000.

Caslam said he did not expect that so many people would attend the service and apologized for the incident.