No chance for cybersex to proliferate in Mandaue

CEBU, Philippines - Following the raids of cybersex dens in Cordova town, barangay officials in Mandaue City are now constantly monitoring internet cafes.

Association of Barangay Council (ABC) president and barangay Subangdaku captain Ernie Manatad said barangay tanods are tasked to coordinate with the monitoring teams.

He said all internet café owners are now required to register their establishments at barangay halls.

In his barangay alone, 42 internet café owners and operators of computer coin slots are now registered in his barangay hall.

He said that during registration, owners are given a list of requirements, which include, among other things, the provisions of the city ordinance pertaining to the operation of internet cafes and penalties in case of violations.

Manatad also require internet owners to post notices which indicate that students are not allowed to enter during the school hours.

Students who go to the cafes during school hours or at night time for research purposes should first secure permission from their principal and teachers.

Owners are also forbidden to construct special rooms to prevent customers from exposing their private parts in front of the web camera.

Manatad said no cybersex dens have been discovered in Mandaue.

But a reliable source who asked not to be identified said that in 2008 when the internet cafes started to boom, a cybersex den was discovered in one of the internet cafes in barangay Pagsabungan while two houses in Umapad in barangay Looc were also seen to have engaged in cybersex.

However, the operations stopped before the police arrived.

"Sikit man gud kayo ang mga bay busa mabantayan dayon," Manatad said. - THE FREEMAN