Customs authorities at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) seized over 5,000 ecstasy tablets put inside a paper shredder shipped from the UK.
The illegal drugs discovered in a warehouse Pasay City and were consigned to an individual in Pasig City.
“Customs personnel discovered the concealed tablets while conducting Customs document check and physical examination of the package after having observed apparent inconsistencies in details,” the Bureau of Customs (BOC) said in a statement.
NAIA district collector Carmelita Talusan said they recovered 5,205 ecstasy tablets from the paper shredder and have an estimated street value of P9 million. BOC turned them over to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) for further investigation and the “prosecution of the consignee.”
BOC said persons responsible for the shipment would face charges for violation of the Dangerous Drugs Act concerning Section 1401 (Unlawful Importation).
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Online classes difficult for children with special needs
Luiza Geli teaches in a public school but is also a full-time mommy to a 7-year-old child with autism.
Geli believes socializing with classmates is so crucial to the child’s development; that’s why she enrolled him in a regular class last school year.
But now that school has been shut down due to the coronavirus pandemic, Geli hopes the child could adjust to online classes.
“Sa tingin ko, makaka-catch up po siya dahil kahit TV, mahilig din siya manood,” said Geli.
At the opening of classes, schools will use online platforms, printed and digital modules, television, and radio to bring lessons to children.
But for other children with special needs, socializing with others is essential.
“Malaking bagay po na kasama nila ‘yong mga kaedad nila o ka-level nila sa pag-aaral kasi po ang mga bata they also learn from others,” said Geli.
At a meeting of various experts in the education sector, it showed that about 10 percent of the student population has special needs.
“Too many kids with special needs might not participate fully in online learning,” said Ericson Perez, founder of One World School.
“These kids are going to suffer. They’ll regress with their skills, and most especially, they’ll lose opportunities to interact with their classmates,” he added.