Nude festival abused innocent children

THIS REFERS to a news article about a shameful incident that happened during the fiesta celebration of Barangay Guitnang Bayan II, San Mateo, Rizal last June 30. (“San Mateo execs rapped over ‘nude festival’,” Inquirer, 6/30/11) The report caught the attention of many readers nationwide, most especially advocates of children’s welfare. The obscene incident disgraced our dear San Mateo, and we are in deep sorrow that it happened in our hometown.

We, Sangguniang Barangay members and concerned citizens, strongly condemn the “nude festival” that was organized and approved by some irresponsible barangay officials of Barangay Guitnang Bayan II. The festival violated the dignity of innocent children and diminished the whole municipality itself.

Whether nude festivals or oblation runs, they have no place in any civilized and decent society. Compelling innocent children to run and to urinate in a bottle with their genitals boldly exposed to the public in exchange for a very small amount of money is a grievous form of child exploitation. The law prohibits such acts, and there can be no justification for its violation, which is also against the law of God.

As parents, we all care for our children.

—KAGAWAD MIRLO A. PAGKATIPUNAN,

KAGAWAD JUDITH A. BALASA,

KAGAWAD EVA A. ESGUERRA,

KAGAWAD PEDRO A. SAN ANDRES,

GARY LINCO, JAIME M. CRUZ,

registered voters, San Mateo, Rizal