Internet users increasing – SWS

The proportion of Filipino adults using the Internet has been steadily increasing, based on the third quarter Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey results released on Tuesday.

In the nationwide survey conducted from Sept. 15 to 23 among 1,500 respondents, SWS found that 41 percent of Filipino adults are Internet users.

This is one point higher than the 40 percent in June 2018.

The respondents were particularly asked, “Do you ever go online to access the Internet or send and receive email?”

SWS said the proportion of Filipino

DAVAO CITY – The Police Regional Office 11 (PRO 11) has reiterated its earlier statement that former Bayan Muna representative Satur Ocampo and Alliance of Concerned Teachers party-list France Castro were not involved in a rescue operation of 14 minors in Talaingod, Davao.

Ocampo and Castro were intercepted transporting Indigenous People (IP) including 14 minors in Talaingod, Davao del Norte last week.

The police statement was made in response to Ocampo’s statement in a press conference, Sunday, saying that they were in Talaingod, Davao del Norte to respond to the call of Salugpungan teachers to rescue the IP students out of the town since the school was being padlocked.

PRO 11 regional director Chief Internet users has been steadily increasing since it first asked about it in June 2006, when it was at 8 percent.

It initially ranged from 11 to 19 percent from September 2007 to December 2011, then from 23 to 32 percent from March 2012 to December 2015.

By April 2016, the proportion of Internet users was consistently at 34 percent or above.

It reached its peak at 42 percent in March 2018, one point higher than the 41 percent in September 2018.

Highest Internet use Since the survey question was first asked in June 2006, SWS said Internet use has always been highest in Metro Manila and in urban areas.

The September 2018 survey found Marcelo Morales, however, said Ocampo's group was not able to present parents’ consent to authorities when they were intercepted by the personnel of Talaingod Municipal Police Station and Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office.

“We are firm what happened in Talaingod was an actual abduction of minors because there are evidences and the group was not able to present a parental consent and not even a single parent appeared during that time," he said.

Morales said Ocampo, Castro and other 16 activists were charged for violations of Article 270 of the Revise Penal Code or Kidnapping and failure to return a minor, Republic Act 7610 "Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act and RA 10364 "Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2012. that the proportion of Internet users increased from 60 percent in June 2018 to 64 percent in September 2018.

Internet use also increased in the rest of Luzon, from 42 percent in June to a new record-high 47 percent in September. This surpassed the previous record of 43 percent in June 2017.

However, it fell in Visayas, from the record-high 37 percent in June to 28 percent in September.

It also decreased in Mindanao, from 29 percent in June to in 27 percent in September.

The proportion of Internet users has always been higher in urban areas, at 54 percent in September (up by one point from 53 percent in June), compared to rural areas, at 31 percent in September

He said the police are also now conducting case build-up for possible charges to be filed against the group in addition to the existing charges.

Meanwhile, Davao del Norte Governor Anthony del Rosario said the arrest of Ocampo and Castro exposed the wiles of the left organizations in using the IP to push their own agenda.

Del Rosario said in a statement, it was the local government unit and the tribal leaders who pushed for the closure of the Salugpongan Ta Tanu Igkanugon Community Learning Center (STTICLC) for its questionable motive.

However, he said the authorities and tribal leaders have since decried how the Salugpungan schools are used in the anti-government propaganda of the leftist organizations and training ground for their armed struggle. (up by three points from 28 percent in June).

Since it was first surveyed in June 2006, internet use has always been highest among upper-to-middle class ABC, at 55 percent in September 2018 (down by seven points from 62 percent in June 2018).

This is followed by class D or the “masa” at 43 percent (up by one point from 42 percent), and class E or the “poorest” at 28 percent (up by three points from 25 percent).

Likewise, Internet use has always been highest among younger Filipinos.

It is highest among 18-24 year olds, at 81 percent in September (from 82 percent in June).