On the afternoon of February 11, VietNamNet reporters were present at the People's Committee of Long Chau Commune (Yen Phong District, Bac Ninh). All work there was still going on as usual after social networks shared information that many commune officials were suspected of gambling for money.

Speaking with VietNamNet reporter, Mr. Nguyen Hong Thach, Vice Chairman of the Commune People's Committee admitted that he was the man wearing the blue shirt in the image circulating on social networks and the woman wearing the black shirt in the photo was his wife.

However, when the reporter asked if it was true that the people in the above image were gambling for money, Mr. Thach said "I can't remember".

"After the image spread on social media, the commune leaders asked the authorities to appraise it. The photo is indeed of me and my wife, however, the clothes my wife and I were wearing were about 7-8 years ago," said Mr. Thach.

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Images shared on social media raise suspicions that many leaders of Long Chau commune are gambling for money. Photo: Social media.

To prove it, Mr. Thach provided a photo of his wife wearing the exact same outfit as in the viral social media image, but taken with friends while out in December 2018.

"The images being shared on social networks have been edited a lot," said Mr. Thach.

According to Mr. Thach, in 2018, he was the head of the commune police. He said that he personally has not yet made a recommendation to his superiors and is waiting for the police to investigate.

"The Party Secretary of the commune reported the incident to his superiors and asked the police to investigate. The images posted on social media have greatly affected me as well as other cadres there," Mr. Thach said.

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Long Chau Commune People's Committee Headquarters.

That same afternoon, the reporter spoke by phone with Mr. Nguyen Ba Canh, Secretary of the Commune Party Committee, but he said he was busy and could not answer.

Previously, images and clips appeared on social media showing many leaders of Long Chau commune allegedly playing cards. Below the mat were many bills of different denominations.