Internet shop closed for admitting pupils

CEBU, Philippines – For allegedly allowing students in even during class hours, a coin-operated Internet café inside a subdivision in Barangay Bankal, Lapu-Lapu City was shut down by the city government yesterday morning.

Officers from Task Force We CARE or City's Advocacy for Responsible Enterprise served the closure order against the Internet shop in the house of Vincent Tanleon around 11 a.m. yesterday.

Antonio Ortera of We CARE said a concerned citizen personally reported to their office and told them the café would operate until 12 midnight. The informant said this has caused his/her children to come home late.

Last November 16, We CARE workers conducted an ocular inspection to verify the report. They found out that the establishment "allowed admission of students from the nearby Bankal Elementary School" even during school hours.

During the order's serving yesterday, at least six computer units were found inside the shop. They were not confiscated.

Two school children were also chanced upon inside the shop.

"Nasakpan namo ang duha ka bata, mga managsuon ni sila. Wala nang-eskwela. Ilahang katarungan wala daw sila'y bawon pero ngano nakaduwa man ni sila didto sa computer-ran nga hug-hug piso?" Ortera said.

A certification letter signed by Zelda Montecillo from the Office of the Principal of Bankal ES confirmed the two boys are their Grade 3 and Grade 5 pupils.

"The aforementioned pupils were absent from their classes during the day," read Montecillo's letter.

Ortera said even if public schools are implementing shifting of classes, students are still not allowed to get inside Internet cafes between 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., unless they can present a certification letter issued by the school.

"If naa'y kinahanglan nga i-research sa Internet within school hours, unya kung naa'y certification letter gikan sa eskwelahan ug naay guardian ang bata, pwede siya," Ortera said.

After the order was effected, a notice was posted outside Tanleon's house, citing his alleged violations relating to City Ordinance No. 363-2006 which regulates the operation, design, layout and construction of all Internet cafés and other establishments engaged in similar business in Lapu-Lapu City.

The notice also read that the shop violated City Ordinance No. 432-2007 for operating without a business permit.

Last November 6, the same order was also served on a certain Irenea Paquibot, who reportedly operated an Internet café in Sitio Candagsao, Barangay Talima, Olango Island.

"Didto sad sa Olango, kapin sa 10 ka mga bata ang nag-Internet didto. Pag-adto namo, nanglayat man sa bintana ang mga bata, iyahay og likay," Ortera said.

In the interiors of Sitio Marbeach in Barangay Marigondon, another three "illegal" coin-operated Internet cafes were also inspected recently. Operators have been warned, said Ortera.

He said aside from complying with government regulations, Internet café owners are also responsible for controlling the entry of young students into their shops.

"Ilaha gyud nang responsibilidad. Kahibaw baya na sila nga basta udto and in between school hours, dili gyud pasudlon ang mga estudyante sa ilahang internet café," he said.

Ortera said Tanleon did not resist the order yesterday but he was advised to secure a business permit since he only had a barangay clearance to show.

"Gibadlong na man ni siya sa una sa barangay sa pag-operate, pero wala mituo, mipadayon gihapon," Ortera said. (FREEMAN)