SOME 26 minors playing computer games during class hours in internet cafes situated within the two busiest public markets in Cagayan de Oro City on Monday, December 10, were rescued by the City Social Welfare and Development (CSWD).
Led by the Regulatory and Complaint Board (RCB), authorities paid a surprise visit to Cogon market, where they rescued 22 minors, and Carmen market, where four other minors were rescued.
Lawyer Edgardo "Egay" Uy, RCB chairman, said internet cafes inside a market are not prohibited, but the City Economic Enterprise Department (CEED) which manages the markets sought help from the RCB on how to regulate it.
"The CEED management is used to manage only the vegetable and fish vendors and others, they do not know how to deal with internet cafes," Uy said.
Since there is no prohibition of internet cafes inside the markets, Uy said the CEED management agreed to let the owners operate inside but will not allow them to install new set of computers.
Social workers meanwhile let the minors go after explaining to them the rules.
Uy said one internet cafe had undergone repair after it allowed access to porn sites.
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. Internet café owners are also prohibited from allowing children to access pornographic sites or engage in any pornographic activities through the internet.