On June 23, Thanh Ha District Police, Hai Duong Province informed that local authorities had just met and propagandized Mr. Dang Van Phong (from Thanh Xuan Commune, Thanh Ha District) not to wear monk-like clothes and go begging, causing curiosity and misunderstanding, which could lead to complicated security and order situation in the locality.

Accordingly, Mr. Dang Van Phong (from Thanh Xuan commune, Thanh Ha district) but currently lives in Vinh Loc A commune, Binh Chanh district, Ho Chi Minh City. Mr. Phong was nicknamed "Dharma Protector Kim Cang" by some locals and used to follow Mr. Le Anh Tu (a self-proclaimed monk with the dharma name Thich Minh Tue) to beg for alms. The authorities also determined that Mr. Phong did not often stay in Thanh Ha district but occasionally returned to his hometown and stayed at the house of his two brothers in the locality.

On June 19, Mr. Phong and some friends went to a coffee shop in Thanh Ha town to drink water. Then, dressed like a monk, they went to the town's Huong market to buy fruit and bring it to the local martyrs' cemetery to burn incense. When moving with the same outfit as Mr. Thich Minh Tue, Mr. Phong made many curious people gather, take photos, record clips and post them on social networks to "get likes". This action caused misunderstandings, bad public opinion and could lead to a loss of security and order in the locality.

At the authorities, Mr. Phong affirmed that he did not go begging and only practiced at home, did not sell online, and did not "attract views and likes" on social networks. At the same time, he requested that the authorities strictly handle those who spread false information about his work, affecting civil rights and private life.

MINH KHANG