SURIGAO CITY (MindaNews/16 July) – Monitoring of cybersex activities and the presence of youngsters in internet shops during school hours have been intensified in the city.
Atty. Manuel Coro, Internet Cafe Regulatory Board (ICRB) chairman said they started their monitoring and strict implementation of the ordinance governing internet use.
He said there are at least 60 internet shops in five urban barangays—Washington, Taft, Luna, San Juan and Canlanipa — and some allegedly have private cubicles which may have abetted cybersex and improper use of computers among youngsters.
Coro who is also the legal officer and administrator of the city government told MindaNews that they aim to minimize, if not eliminate, these practices.
He said the board will also check if the other barangays are complying with the ordinance.
The board is composed of the Department of Social Welfare and Development, City Health Office, city police, and business permit and licensing office.
Coro added they also be checking the licenses of these internet shops.
He said violations of the ordinance mean a penalty of P1,000 pesos for first offense, P3,000 for second offense, and P5,000 and closure order for third offense.
He said they caught early this year a woman who was engaged in cybersex, but they failed to get her to submit herself to the welfare office for counseling.
He said they did not get the testimony of persons who caught her in the act, Coro said. (Roel N. Catoto/MindaNews)