Balong can now join his batchmates after his family and child's rights groups rescued him from state forces who presented him to the media as a “child soldier, informer and collector” for the New People’s Army.
“Since 28 January up to this moment, this exact moment, I can attest that there are still military forces camping in our community, 7 houses are occupied including mine” Christina Lantao said.
A councilor noted on Adoption Consciousness Week this February 15 to 23 that the high number of adoption cases of children raises deeper issues on children abandonment.
A mother of two daughters and married to a house painter, April saw how her friend was earning from chatting through the Piso-Net, a small Internet kiosk where one pays a peso for five-minute Internet access.
Child advocates among non-government and local government want more effort in disseminating awareness and support to children who are victims of sexual abuse.