Philippines :2 internet shops near school closed : Sun.Star Pampanga ,

Wednesday, September 28, 2005
2 internet shops near school closed

ANGELES CITY -- The Special Operations and Monitoring Office (Somo) of the City Mayor's Office (CMO) has closed down two internet shops in Barangay Lourdes North West (LNW) in Angeles City.

Somo officer-in-charge Enrico Sangil said they padlocked the establishments for "allegedly operating without necessary permits from the City Government."

Sangil said both the management of Grasang Tao Internet Cafe and One Internet Cafe, situated near the Aldersgate Ecumenical School Incorporated at Agapito Street, were also found to be allowing minors to play computer games during school hours.

He said the CMO received a letter, addressed to Mayor Carmelo Lazatin, from one Tarcilla Anacleto, Aldersgate school administrator, asking assistance about the two internet cafés operating near their school.

Anacleto claimed "the stalls with videoke or computer games are only allowed to operate with a certain radius or distance from any school establishment."

She said their school is really affected because the two internet shops were both operating during school hours.

With this, Lazatin immediately directed the Somo officials to look into the complaint.

According to Sangil, his team discovered that the shops had been operating sans permit and allows school children to play computer games during school hours.

Sangil's team, accompanied by the Angeles City police, implemented the mayor's closure order against the establishments.

The Somo has already closed down some 27 different business establishments in July 2005 alone. Most of the establishments are operating without permits. (RGN)