AFP uses propaganda films to dissuade youths from joining rebels

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines — The military has resorted to showing propaganda movies as strategy to dissuade young people from joining rebels and bandits. Maj. Gen. Juancho M. Sabban, chief of Joint Task Force Comet, which oversees the drive against the Abu Sayyaf, said "movie night" provides the right values to children "while having fun." "The objective of movie night is not only for children to get acquainted with the military, but more importantly to broaden their perspective and help shape them into individuals that are assets to society," Mr. Sabban said. The military earlier launched a comic book entitled Barbargsa — Blood of the Honorable as part of the information campaign against the Abu Sayyaf. About 600,000 copies of the 10-part series comic book have been distributed in Sulu, Basilan and Tawi-Tawi, where the Abu Sayyaf operates. Movies such as Happy Feet and Shrek are some of the crowd favorites. The night also includes short films, "which highlight the importance of unity and patriotism, plus military’s various humanitarian undertakings meant to benefit the province," Mr. Sabban said. During the last night, more than 200 young viewers were each given popcorn and bottled water. "The movie night begins with Philippine and US military volunteers escorting local children to the movie site, where they line up, get a squirt of antibacterial hand sanitizer, and then move through the line to receive a small bag of popcorn and a bottle of water. Once the seating and snacks are complete, the mood is set," Mr. Sabban said. Before the movie starts, volunteers talk to them about basic health care, their dreams and various other topics intended to instill the principles of obedience, discipline, unity, patriotism and other values. "It gives the children a chance to see what the AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) really is. We are here to help and educate them," said Marine Sgt. John Paul Lacao, a movie night volunteer. Love for country For American troops, the strategy helps nurture the children’s love for country. "The Philippines is a huge melting pot similar to America, and these kids all come from a wide variety of backgrounds," US Air Force Capt. Vance Rothmeyer, another volunteer, said. "When we bring all of them together by doing something that they can all participate in and identify with, it instills in them a broader sense of nationalism and pride." The movie night in Sulu was launched amid criticism of overstaying American troops in some parts of Mindanao. Based on figures given earlier by US military commanders, there are currently more than 500 American soldiers stationed particularly in conflict-effected areas in Mindanao. The US embassy has earlier said that the presence of US soldiers in Mindanao is based on requests from the government. It reiterated US forces are not engaged directly in combat but only provide intelligence assistance to the current government operation against rogue Moro rebels and terrorist groups. — Darwin T. Wee, BusinessWorld