CLO hit over inaction on 'illegal' internet cafes
The City Legal Office (CLO) is reportedly giving the Task Force Adams Apple a could shoulder over the number of apprehensions they made against internet cafes that are operating without business permits. Up to this time no corresponding penalties were imposed to violators.
A member of the Task Force Adams Apple said they have already forwarded their apprehension report to City Legal Officer Atty. Edgar Gil for appropriate actions. However, until now the task force has yet to receive any update on the punishment they could hand down against the owners of the internet cafes.
As of press time, Gil could not be reached for comment over the alleged non-action of the CLO on the task force's apprehensions relative to the implementation of Regulation Ordinance 2001-185 which prohibits the operation of business establishments without first securing business permits.
In July 2007, the task force apprehended RGA Internet Center, Piglet.Net, Backyard.Com, Hackers Point Internet Café, Coccyx Computer Center, Quick Sit Internet Station, Packet Switch Computer Sales and Service, Battle Dome Internet Station, Net Post Internet Café and SkyRace Internet Station for operating without business permits. They are only few of the internet cafes who were included in the list of the task force accomplishment report.
The same source said they felt bad whenever they operate and yet the agency that needs to act is not doing anything. The owners even laughed at the task force as they continue to violate Regulation Ordinance 2001-185 since no corresponding penalty was handed down against them.
Under the said regulation ordinance, the first time offenders will be meted with a two-day closure. The establishments of second offenders will be closed for one week and third time offenders will be fined with P5,000. A permanent closure and imprisonment from six months to two months will also be imposed for third offenders as their violation warrants.