By Bonita Ermac BALO-I, Lanao del Norte – Despite the standing orders against mass gathering in these times of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, a barangay here celebrated Eid’l Fitr with more than a hundred flocking to a local mosque to mark the end of the Holy Month of Ramadan. (Bonita Ermac / MANILA BULLETIN) According to Imam Hadji Sirad Abdul Azis, there were more than a hundred who gathered at the mosque in Barangay Payawan here in defiance of health security measures being implemented because of the COVID-19 crisis. "Alhamdullilah, wala kaming ibang gawin dito sa loob ng Masjid ng mga Muslim, maliban lang sa hihingi kami sa Allah na itong COVID-19 ay mawala para hindi masaktan iyang mga Muslim at Christian", said Abdul Azis. Abdul Azis also said he was aware that health security measures, like physical distancing, were violated, but maintained that they were not afraid of the coronavirus. Those who went to the mosque did not wear masks, while there was no alcohol or disinfectant offered at the entrance of the Camp Balo-I Masjid. "Hindi kami takot sa virus na yan, dahil alam namin kung saka sakali mamatay ako kahit saan ako magtago mamatay talaga ako, kahit saan ako magpunta sa buong mundo. Ibig sabihin ang nakakaalam lang ng mga pangyayari ay ang Panginoon Diyos", said Abdul Asis. He added they were thankful to Allah that their town still had no recovered COVID-19 case. "Dahil nasubukan namin sa loob ng isang buwan, wala isa man na namatay sa lugar namin dahil sa coronavirus", he said. Balo-i Mayor Hanifa Ali has reportedly summoned Imams and barangay chairpersons to shed light on the mass gatherings that occurred on Eid’l Fitr.