MILF questions Marines' propaganda movie in Sulu

MANILA, Philippines — The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) questioned Saturday what it called a "cheap propaganda" ploy by the Philippine Marines to win children's support through Sunday movie showings. An article on the MILF website (www.luwaran.com) said parents of the children branded the effort as "cheap propoganda out to win the hearts of tender minds in the ongoing war in Mindanao." "The showing is every Sunday. It is hosted by the Joint Task Force Comet and Joint Special Operations Task Force Philippines in Sulu inside the military camp at Bus-Bus Street, Jolo, Sulu. A schoolteacher, who requested anonymity, said the movie is designed to condition the mindset of the young minds and integrate them into the mainstreams of the Filipino society," the MILF said. "This is part of the assimilation program of the AFP, so that the incoming generations of Moros would not think of themselves as Moros but Filipinos," it quoted the schoolteacher as saying. Movie is a form of media outlet that provides some values including those perverted or distorted to the children, whom are still in the stage of idolizing adults, the MILF noted. According to the MILF, the program started with 20 children, but has grown over the last few months into an assembly of kids with some grown-ups reaching now up to 400. It said they would watch the "lesson-filled" movies with the supervision of military personnel inside the camp. Parents of the children are not allowed inside the movie theater. Joint Task Force Comet Commander Major General Juancho M. Sabban said the movie night for children in Jolo highlights the learning of right values. The MILF said a different movie is shown every night, but it is the military that selects the film. Also, it said that to attract the children, the military even provides popcorn and balloons. Before the showing starts, Marine officer will talk to the children on several topics that include social behavior, their dreams and aspirations. They were also told to instill the principles of obedience, discipline, unity, patrioitism and other Christian values. - GMANews.TV