A TOTAL of 41 minors were rescued by authorities this week as the Cagayan de Oro City Government steps up its inspection and monitoring of internet cafés in different barangays.
Under the Children's Welfare Code, minors are not allowed to play computer or video games from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. 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.
Led by the Regulatory Complaint Board (RCB), the team rescued 16 minors found playing at an internet café during the prohibited hours last November 5 at Barangay 14.
On November 6, 19 minors were rescued from an internet cafe in Barangay 12, while the latest operation yielded six minors in a piso net in Barangay Carmen 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 café, the RCB said. The other three 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 cafés 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.
The campaign is especially intensified this month in line with the celebration of the National Children's Month.
