A provincial
governor in the Philippines has deemed karaoke singers to be an impediment in
the archipelago’s fight against the coronavirus pandemic.

Taking to Facebook
on Tuesday, governor of Cavite province, Jonvic Remulla called upon the public
to report noisy karaoke singers to the authorities to help in the fight against
the pandemic.

In the post,
Remulla says one of the best ways to fortify the immune system was to get a
good night’s sleep.

“Curfew
isn’t just made to reduce nonsense night strolls. It is also meant to
strengthen the body through a good and sound sleep,” Remulla wrote in the post,
which began with the lyrics of the songs ‘My Way’ by late American singer Frank
Sinatra and ‘Video Killed the Radio Star’ by British band The Buggles.

Also Read: Philippines delays start of school year as virus surges

Remulla further
claimed that one of the most frequent complaints from the people in his
constituency has been the “tireless abuse” from people singing karaoke.

“If you’re
drunk, over the amount of drinking and most of all your excursion is against
the time, you can be charged and taken to the precinct on the spot. If you
don’t want to sleep early, please let yourself sleep! Learn to respect the
neighbors who have to wake up at 4 a.m. (like me),” he wrote.

According to CNN, Karaoke is
a preferred pastime in the archipelago, with karaoke bars scattered across the
islands. People also keep karaoke systems at home, making it a favoured
activity at social events.

Also Read: US marine convicted of killing transgender woman deported from Philippines

According
to a 2010 New York Times report, several people have been killed after singing Sinatra’s
Karaoke classic ‘My Way’ in what the local media has dubbed the ‘My Way
Killings’.

The Philippines
has recorded the highest number of coronavirus infections among the south-east
Asian countries with over 2,72,000 positive tests and at least 4,700 deaths,
according to data from the John Hopkins University.

More than
3.6 million people reside in Cavite, a northern province on the main Philippine
island of Luzon, which, according to Remulla’s post, has reported over 8,860
virus infections and 197 deaths.  

Philippines
President Rodrigo Duterte had announced last month relaxation of lockdown
restrictions in the capital city of Manila, Cavite, and the provinces of
Bulacan, Laguna and Rizal.

 The new regulations allow more businesses to
stay open, while permitting restaurants to offer dine-in services and religious
gathering to take place at 30 per cent capacity, as long as health-safety
measures are followed.