In this photo published on Oct. 7, 2016, Lt. Col. Eliglen Villaflor (center, kneeling), greets a Yakan child who turned over a toy gun in Lamitan, Basilan, a town that was a site of some of the fiercest clashes between government soldiers and members of the Abu Sayyaf. INQUIRER.NET / JULIE S. ALIPALA
As toy guns become a “fad” again among children during the holiday season, Senator Francis Pangilinan called on Filipinos to teach the younger generation about the culture of violence and its dangers.
In his year-end message, Pangilinan said adults should guide children who were “infected” by a violent culture and prevent them from spreading it among themselves.
“Toy guns are a fad again. Some children who may have received toy guns for Christmas are going around their neighborhoods playing war games, hurting themselves and bystanders and passers-by alike,” Panglinan said.
“This is the danger that a culture of violence promotes. The children smell it in the air, are infected by it, and spread it among themselves and to the r next generation,” he said.
“Sa mata ng bata, ang mali ay nagiging tama kung ito ay ginagawa ng matanda.”
The minority senator, who had staunchly criticized the abuses in the drug war, emphasized that Filipinos are naturally excellent people, as we know how to distinguish right from wrong.
“Mabuting tao ang Pilipino. Magaling. Alam ang tama at mali. Kaya nga tayo ang pinipili ng mga employers abroad,” he said.
“Kaya sa darating na 2018, magpursigi tayong maging mas magiliw. Bayang magiliw. Tayo yun e!” Pangilinan added. /cbb