Post by Registrar on Apr 19, 2013 10:56:51 GMT 8
Although we are an international forum, some of us live in (or visit) the Philippines, and thus come under their laws from time to time. One of our members recently pointed out to me that publicity about digging up war relics might not be a good thing, as it might bring those persons to the attention of authorities who do not necessarily share similar enthusiasms. He had particular reference to the digging up, or acquisition by other means of a weapon.
Personally, I LOVE the stories and LOVED seeing the images, and hated not being able to see it personally. However, just because hoplophobia is not recognized as a mental disorder by the American Psychiatric Association doesn't mean there aren't a whole bunch of hoplophobes out there. I do take his point that using the word "buy" or "sell" in posts about firearms or memorabilia might not be wise. So let's not do it, eh?
There are indeed some very strange people out there, and some of them don't like us, or what it is we do, or what it is we say. In running this board, I have already been threatened with personal violence and kidnap (for the ability of foreigners to visit areas of Corregidor which - so the fellow claimed - were not available to Filipinos), and have been subject of enquirers from an intelligence unit (concerning foreigners' publishing images of Fort Drum, sufficient to determine that scrapping was continuing notwithstanding a public narrative that it had long ago ceased. Scrappers with acetylene bottles and fishermen with hammers are OK, but foreigners with cameras are not.) There was also an attempt by an enterprising low-life organizer (who had joined our group for the purpose) to create evidence of a circumstance under which he proposed that the certain persons be given the power to censor this board.
So watch what you say concerning digging battlefield souvenirs, and if you do trip over them, a little statement that you "noted the location for the record and thereafter replaced them respectfully in situ", will go a long way. I, for one, certainly won't doubt such a statement. As for weapons, just be careful guys, I don't want anyone suggesting we are weapons traders, or smugglers, etc. I like the idea of our little community, and hope that you do too.