Youth & Children

AFP Cites Minors in Propaganda Offensive vs NPA


The Philippine military seems to be on the propaganda offensive again against the New People’s Army, this time accusing the communist movement of recruiting minors and children. In this news report, the military claims that a 12-year-old member of the NPA was killed in an encounter in New Bataan, Compostela Valley on Saturday. In two earlier press releases, the military said it captured seven NPA guerrillas — all allegedly minors — in Agusan del Sur and Bukidnon. The military says three of the alleged NPA guerrillas in the picture above are minors. (Photo: Public Affairs Office, 6th Infantry Division/AFP)

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Regulating Wi-Fi in Davao a Harebrained Idea

Davao City Councilor Pilar Braga maybe overdoing her campaign against pornography on the Internet. In a privilege speech, according to this report, Braga raised alarm over the sight of “laptop-carrying executives accessing pornographic materials while leisurely sipping coffee in some cafes in the downtown area.” For that, she wanted to regulate wi-fi connections being offered by these bars and cafes.

While we share her concern that minors should be protected from online pornography (and that regulating Internet cafes for that purpose maybe a good idea), we don’t see any good in her new proposal to regulate as well wi-fi.

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A Season of Begging

Davao kids asking for Christmas presents

These children roaming the streets of Davao City are a common sight during the holidays, asking strangers for money or Christmas presents. While officials say Davao’s economy has improved over the years, poverty is still common in the city, with thousands of residents — like these children — living in the slums, hardly getting by.

(davaotoday.com photo by Barry Ohaylan)

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