Group, Swat shut down Internet cafe, billiard hall

Saturday, February 4, 2012

AN Internet café and a billiard hall in Lapu-Lapu City were ordered closed yesterday for failing to secure business permits and for admitting high school students during school hours.

Members of Lapu-Lapu City’s Advocacy for Responsible Enterprise (Care) and operatives of the city’s Special Weapons and Tactics (Swat) enforced the closure orders against the two establishments, which are housed inside the residences of Vincent Onahan and Julian Misa in Sitio Mahayahay, Barangay Bangkal.

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A commotion almost erupted between enforcers and Misa, who refused to sign the closure order.

Care, led by team leader Antonio Utrera, told reporters yesterday that Onahan and Misa allegedly violated several ordinances.

Aside from operating businesses without permits and not paying taxes, Onahan allegedly violated City Ordinance 363-2006, which regulates the operation, design, layout and construction of all Internet cafes and similar establishments.

In addition to not having a business permit, Misa allegedly violated City Ordinance 334-2010, which regulates the operation of billiard and dart halls, video arcades, videoke houses and similar establishments.

Caught

Internet cafés and recreational facilities, like billiard halls, are not supposed to admit elementary and high school students, particularly during school hours.

When Care and Swat personnel arrived at Onahan and Misa’s establishments at 10 a.m., more than 20 Bangkal National High School students were seen playing computers and billiards.

Onahan denied that he owns the computers, saying these are owned by Glenn King.

Authorities apprehended only two students during the operation because the others jumped over a perimeter fence to escape arrest.

The Bankal National High School Parents-Teachers Association said launched a petition against Misa’s business. It alleged that Misa’s house is also suspected to be a drug den.

Jessa Pilu, Barangay Bangkal councilor, told reporters that they have reprimanded Misa six times but he refused to close his billiard hall.