The Raxabago police station in Manila has recommended the closure of a 24/7 computer rental shop in Tondo for not heeding several warnings not to allow minors to spend too much time there.
The station’s chief, P/Lt. Col. Rosalino Ibay Jr., identified the alleged operator of the computer shop as Julius Martin, 42, a resident of Barangay 123 in Tondo.
The minors have been able to flout the curfew ordinance of the city by staying inside the shop, according to reports reaching Ibay’s office.
A total of 22 children were rounded up Friday evening from the shop and endorsed to the Manila Department of Social Welfare.
The computer rental shop, which offers the “Piso Net” service, has been the subject of numerous complaints from the parents of the kids who frequented it.
A peso gives a user five minutes of Internet-enabled computer time.
“The problem here is that parents are complaining that their kids are becoming computer game addicts with some not even bothering to come to their home to eat,” Ibay said.
Policemen paid the shop a visit to admonish its owner not to accept as customers minors unaccompanied by adults. It was later discovered the shop has no business permit or even an approval to operate from the barangay.
Ibay said they are filing a complaint for violating City Ordinance 8186 regulating the operation of computer shops in the city.