City task force monitors Internet cafés

CEBU, Philippines - The Lapu-Lapu City government is closely monitoring the operations of Internet cafes in the different barangays of the city to prevent possible cyber pornography involving students.

City Mayor Paz Radaza said the city has an existing task force composed of the police and other government offices whose primary duties and responsibilities is to monitor the Internet cafes.

Radaza said the city task force will implement the ordinance that prohibits Internet cafes from accommodating students during class hours.

The city government has ordered the closure of at least 10 Internet cafes early this year for violating the city ordinance.

In 2006, the Lapu-Lapu City council approved an ordinance regulating public Internet cafes in the city following the arrest of an American national whose house was allegedly used to produce pornographic materials.

Allowing elementary or high school students into a cafe between 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on weekdays affect their studies.

Students may only be allowed to enter Internet cafes if they can show a letter from their teacher allowing them to use Internet for research.— /FPL (FREEMAN)