violence in the media

First, let us get one thing clear: the Abu Sayyaf should be wiped out. Its blatant disregard for the dignity of human life is clear to us all. Reports on the prolonged captivity of children and the brutal slaying of teachers and of Father Gallardo in 2000 were poignant enough to drive that point home clearly. There was more to follow—Sipadan, Dos Palmas, Lamitan—and many more killed! All in all, it’s impossible to ignore the true nature of the Abu Sayyaf.

Do Filipino children know about the Abu Sayyaf? Yes. They are hobbits living in another world predating access to mass media. Do most children know that Abu Sayyaf bandits are “the bad guys?” Yes. And they know that children have also been victims. If children know, surely adults know too. Airing the footage only aroused emotional responses that had little to do with comprehension and concrete steps toward solving the problem.

Does war against these terrorists really have to include careless decisions that affect child...