41 minors rescued in internet cafes
Notice of violations were issued to internet cafes who allowed minors during class hours
A total of 41 minors were rescued by authorities this week as the city government steps up its inspection and monitoring of internet cafes in different barangays.
Led by the Regulatory Complaint Board (RCB), the team rescued 16 minors found playing in internet cafes during the prohibited hours-- 7am to 3pm, during school days last Monday, November 5 at barangay 14.
On the following day, November 6, another 19 minors were rescued from the internet cafe in barangay 12, while the latest operation yielded 6 minors in a piso net in barangay Carmen in Thursday, November 8.
Three of the minors rescued in barangay Carmen were allegedly late for class and were barred from entering the school, thus they chose to spend their free time at the internet cafe, the RCB said. The other 3 minors cut classes just to play computer games.
RCB secretariat Antonio Resma Jr. said officials of the schools where the minors are enrolled were contacted and the students were properly returned to their schools.
Meanwhile, notice of violations were issued to the internet cafes who allowed the entry of the minors during class hours. Resma warned business establishments practicing this violation that they could face closure of their business or penalty, depending on the gravity of the offense.
Under the Children’s Welfare Code, minors are not allowed to play computer or video games from 07:00AM to 03:00PM during school days, and Internet café owners are prohibited from allowing children to access pornographic sites, nor be engaged in any pornographic activities through the internet.
The campaign is especially intensified this month in line with the celebration of the National Children’s Month.